How does the phrase "brought a freewill offering" inspire our approach to tithing? Rooted in the Text “All the men and women whose hearts moved them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD had commanded Moses to do.” What a Freewill Offering Teaches Us • Voluntary: No coercion—giving sprang from hearts already stirred by God. • Purpose-driven: Gifts met a specific, God-given need (the tabernacle). • Whole-hearted: The people came “whose hearts moved them,” showing emotion and devotion, not mere obligation. Connecting Freewill Offerings to the Tithe • Tithe = first tenth, commanded and nonnegotiable (Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10). • Freewill = over-and-above, prompted by love, not law (Exodus 35:29; Deuteronomy 16:10). • Both together reveal God’s pattern: faithful obedience first, then joyful generosity. A Heart-Check for Modern Givers • Do I treat the tithe as baseline obedience, not a ceiling? • Does my giving flow from gratitude for salvation and daily provision (2 Corinthians 9:15)? • Am I alert to Spirit-led opportunities beyond the tithe to meet kingdom needs (Acts 4:34-35)? Practical Steps Toward Freewill-Styled Tithing 1. Set aside the tithe first—honor the Lord with your “firstfruits” (Proverbs 3:9-10). 2. Pray regularly for God to “move your heart” toward additional needs. 3. Plan margin in your budget so spontaneous generosity is possible. 4. Celebrate each act of giving; rejoicing strengthens willingness (1 Chronicles 29:9). 5. Remember God’s promise: “God loves a cheerful giver” and enriches us “for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). The Takeaway The phrase “brought a freewill offering” inspires tithing by reminding us that obedient giving is meant to overflow into joyful, voluntary generosity—an enthusiastic partnership with God’s work rather than a mere financial duty. |
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