Connect Exodus 30:13 to New Testament teachings on giving and stewardship. Setting the Scene: The Half-Shekel Offering (Exodus 30:13) “Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD.” What the Half-Shekel Teaches • A set amount—no one gave more, no one gave less • Collected at the census, reminding each man that he belonged to God’s redeemed people • Called “an offering to the LORD,” yet also a “ransom” for each life (v. 12) • Measured by the sanctuary standard, not personal preference Foreshadowing New-Covenant Redemption • Equal need, equal price: “for all have sinned” (Romans 3:23); “You were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20) • The half-shekel could never purchase salvation; it pointed forward to the full ransom paid by Christ (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 1:18-19) • Sanctuary standard fulfilled: the cross sets the only acceptable measure of redemption Jesus’ Teaching on Giving • Proportionate generosity: “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38) • Heart over amount: the widow’s two small coins outweighed larger gifts because of motive (Mark 12:41-44) • Stewardship is an extension of discipleship: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21) Paul’s Guidelines for Consistent Stewardship 1 Corinthians 16:2—“On the first day of every week, each of you is to set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-14—aim for equality so “your abundance may supply their need.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8—sow generously, give cheerfully, trust God to supply. Parallels Between the Half Shekel and New-Testament Giving • Consistent: census giving ≈ weekly setting aside (1 Corinthians 16:2) • Equal — yet adaptable: fixed half-shekel ≈ proportional “in keeping with income” • God-focused: both labeled an “offering to the LORD” • Protective: the half-shekel averted plague; generous giving guards the heart from greed (1 Timothy 6:10-19) Stewardship Principles for Today • Recognize redemption first; giving flows from being bought by Christ. • Give deliberately—planned, not impulsive. • Aim for fairness; let abundance offset another’s lack. • Measure by God’s standard, not cultural trends. • Cultivate cheerful trust that God supplies every need (Philippians 4:19). |
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