What role do offerings play in maintaining a relationship with God today? Setting the Scene: Ezekiel 45:24 “He must provide as a grain offering an ephah with the bull and an ephah with the ram, and a hin of oil with every ephah.” The verse sits in a detailed blueprint for worship in millennial Jerusalem. Every measurement, animal, and hin of oil reminds us that life with God is never casual; it is carefully ordered, wholehearted, and costly. Timeless Truths the Original Offering Reveals • God specifies the gift—worship begins with listening, not improvising (Leviticus 10:1–3). • God ties offerings to relationship—fellowship follows sacrifice (Exodus 25:8). • God intertwines generosity and holiness—the grain and oil accompany the blood, showing devotion as well as atonement (Numbers 15:4–5). Christ: The Complete Offering • Hebrews 10:10 – “By this will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” • All ancient sacrifices pointed forward; the cross fulfills them without abolishing their heart lesson: God still deserves our best. Our Offerings Today: Living Response 1. Offer Your Life—Romans 12:1 calls us to be “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” 2. Offer Your Praise—Hebrews 13:15 speaks of “a sacrifice of praise.” 3. Offer Your Gifts—Philippians 4:18 likens financial support to “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice.” 4. Offer Your Service—1 Peter 4:10 urges believers to steward their gifts “as faithful managers of God’s grace.” Why Giving Matters for Ongoing Fellowship • It declares Christ’s worth publicly (2 Corinthians 8:7–9). • It breaks the grip of materialism, keeping hearts warm toward God (Matthew 6:21). • It funds gospel ministry, enlarging the family we share with Him (Philippians 4:17). • It invites God’s promised provision—“Test Me,” He says regarding tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:10). Practical Expressions to Cultivate • Regular, proportionate financial giving through your local church. • Spontaneous generosity when the Spirit highlights a need (Acts 4:34–35). • Setting aside time, talent, and hospitality as conscious gifts to the Lord. • Vocal, wholehearted worship in corporate gatherings. The Ongoing Cycle of Relationship Offering flows from gratitude for Christ’s finished work; God responds with presence, joy, and fresh provision; gratitude rises again. Ezekiel’s ephahs and hins still echo today, calling every believer to keep that cycle vibrant by cheerfully placing something of value—ultimately, ourselves—on God’s altar each day. |
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