Topical Bible: The Poor: Offerings of, Acceptable to God

◄ The Poor: Offerings of, Acceptable to God ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the offerings of the poor hold a significant place, reflecting God's heart for justice, mercy, and humility. The Scriptures consistently affirm that God values the offerings of the poor, not for their material worth, but for the sincerity and devotion they represent.

Old Testament Context

The Mosaic Law made provisions for the poor in their offerings, demonstrating God's inclusive nature. In Leviticus 5:7, the law allows for a lesser offering if a person cannot afford a lamb: "But if he cannot afford a lamb, he shall bring to the LORD as his guilt offering for the sin he has committed two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering." This provision underscores that God values the heart behind the offering more than its monetary value.

The account of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:8-16 further illustrates this principle. Despite her dire poverty, she offers Elijah a small cake, and God miraculously provides for her needs. This narrative highlights that God honors the faith and sacrifice of the poor.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the value of the poor's offerings. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observes a poor widow contributing two small coins to the temple treasury. He declares, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on" (Mark 12:43-44). This passage reveals that God measures the worth of an offering by the giver's heart and sacrifice, not by the amount given.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the offerings of the poor in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, where he commends the Macedonian churches for their generosity despite their poverty. He writes, "In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity" (2 Corinthians 8:2). Their willingness to give beyond their means is presented as an act of grace and devotion to God.

Theological Implications

The offerings of the poor are acceptable to God because they reflect a heart of humility, dependence, and faith. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a defender of the poor and an advocate for justice. In Psalm 68:5, God is described as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows" , indicating His special concern for the marginalized.

Moreover, the offerings of the poor serve as a reminder to the community of faith about the values of the Kingdom of God. James 2:5 states, "Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?" . This verse underscores the spiritual richness and faith that often accompany material poverty.

Practical Application

The biblical teaching on the offerings of the poor challenges believers to evaluate their own giving and attitudes towards wealth. It calls for a heart of generosity, regardless of one's financial status, and a recognition of the intrinsic value of every person's contribution to the community of faith. The church is encouraged to create an environment where the offerings of the poor are honored and where their needs are met with compassion and justice, reflecting the character of God Himself.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 12:42-44
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 8:2,12
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Liberality to the Poor is Recommended by the Example of the Widow ...
... husband unviolated, be able to support her dear children, and to minister to the
poor. ... No return is more acceptable to God than the offerings of piety. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v liberality to the.htm

Separation to God.
... The offerings to be made on the conclusion of ... his own enlightened conscience, nor
be acceptable to GOD ... And, remembering my own poor efforts, The wretched work ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Proof that God did not Appoint the Levitical Dispensation for his ...
... burnt-offerings and sacrifices are not acceptable to Me ... them out of Egypt, concerning
burnt-offerings or sacrifices ... and the proselyte, and the poor; and let none ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii proof that god did.htm

A Reasonable Service
... He was a Jew and he knew all about offerings. ... ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God ... incident in my own life of a poor German boy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a reasonable service.htm

First Sunday after Epiphany
... of the Jews in their works and offerings, and of ... ye may prove what is the good and
acceptable and perfect ... Daily we prefer to be poor, sick and despised, to be ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice.
... and, according to Plato, are truly kakoi mageiroi (poor butchers), since ... the Holy
Ghost, ie, that the Gentiles might be offerings acceptable to God by faith ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 30 what a sacrifice.htm

Christianity, by Its Provision for the Flesh, Has Put on it the ...
... before God has been conferred on this poor and worthless ... Those sacrifices, moreover,
which are acceptable to God"I ... 7342] of it, are fragrant offerings to God ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter viii christianity by its provision.htm

The Last Word of Prophecy
... led to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God. ... promises blessings as results
of such offerings, and a ... peasant who brought his king a poor tribute of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the last word of prophecy.htm

Epistle Lxxvi. Cyprian to Nemesianus and Other Martyrs in the ...
... that suffer, mercy in cherishing the poor, constancy in ... yourselves as holy and unspotted
offerings, as the ... bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxvi cyprian to nemesianus.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
... Piety towards God, and of Charity to the Poor, or as ... 6, 7. Indeed God accepts of
none but Freewill Offerings. ... a way as is most pleasing and acceptable unto God ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly-riches sect ii.htm