Free-will offerings hold a significant place in the biblical narrative, reflecting the voluntary and heartfelt devotion of individuals towards God. These offerings are distinct from obligatory sacrifices and tithes, as they are given out of one's own volition and desire to honor the Lord. The concept of free-will offerings is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the importance of giving that stems from a willing heart.

Old Testament References

The practice of free-will offerings is rooted in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with the construction and maintenance of the Tabernacle and Temple, as well as with various feasts and religious observances. In Exodus 35:29, the Israelites are described as bringing free-will offerings for the work of the Tabernacle: "So all the men and women whose hearts were willing brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do."

Leviticus 22:18-21 provides specific instructions regarding the nature of free-will offerings, emphasizing that they must be without defect: "Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites and say to them: ‘If any of you—whether an Israelite or a foreigner residing in Israel—presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, either to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, you must present a male without defect from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order that it may be accepted on your behalf.’"

Deuteronomy 16:10 highlights the connection between free-will offerings and the Feast of Weeks: "And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the LORD your God has blessed you."

New Testament Insights

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention free-will offerings in the same manner as the Old Testament, the principle of voluntary giving is evident. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes about the attitude of giving: "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This reflects the spirit of free-will offerings, where the emphasis is on the willingness and joy of the giver.

Theological Significance

Free-will offerings underscore the importance of the heart's intention in worship and giving. They are a tangible expression of gratitude, devotion, and recognition of God's provision and blessings. The voluntary nature of these offerings highlights the personal relationship between the worshiper and God, where the act of giving is not merely a duty but a heartfelt response to God's goodness.

Throughout the Scriptures, free-will offerings serve as a reminder of the call to give generously and willingly, reflecting the character of God who gives abundantly to His people.Leviticus 22:21,23
And whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 23:38
Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which you give to the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 29:39
These things you shall do to the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 12:6,17
And thither you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and of your flocks:
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 31:14
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 3:5
And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering to the LORD.
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Ezra 7:16
And all the silver and gold that you can find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 8:28
And I said to them, You are holy to the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the LORD God of your fathers.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 119:108
Accept, I beseech you, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me your judgments.
Nave's Topical Index

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... the idea that the Holy Scriptures defiled' the ... should be discharged from the general
Temple treasury ... the Sadducees would have paid it from free-will offerings. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... that neither he, nor even a general council, has ... in the matter of indulgences, of
free will and the ... agree, such as""These gifts; these offerings; these holy ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
... their necessary maintenance, that the Scriptures call Riches ... the Scripture calls
them in general good works ... 7. Indeed God accepts of none but Freewill Offerings. ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly-riches sect ii.htm

The Author's views Respecting the Celebration of Easter, Baptism ...
... left each one to his own free will in the ... in the manner usual among Christians in
general: for after ... kinds, in the evening making their offerings [790] they ...
/.../chapter xxii the authors views respecting.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... middle group of the Hebrew Scriptures, have been ... Zerubbabel, carrying with them liberal
free-will offerings of those ... terms very large and general, the nature ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

Book I.
... it with our creation, the gift of the law, and the power of free will. ... men may be
spoken of as righteous in a general sense, yet ... Offerings for sins of ignorance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
... which enabled him to derive from Scriptures which otherwise ... itself an exertion of
His own free will and power ... Or else he dwells upon the general character of ...
/.../chapter ii the theology of st.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... at Rome from chance presents and offerings; whereby they ... may serve God of a free
will and not ... This general, unrestricted begging is, besides, injurious for the ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... whatever their religious opinions, to the general state of ... We owe our Scriptures
to the Grecian language ... Accept the free will offerings of thy people, and O may ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

V. ...
... As to spiritual offerings, it is not necessary that we ... those great saints who rest
on their free-will, on their ... Hitherto he has spoken in a general manner of ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

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