04/12/2024
Pst Wonder Hamukandi writes, ✍️✍️
Freewill Offering: A Biblical Perspective
Offering holds a central place in Christian worship, especially within the theology of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. For Adventists, offerings represent far more than financial contributions for church programs; they are acts of worship that acknowledge God’s supremacy and providence. The Bible frames offering as a voluntary act of gratitude and love toward God, reflecting believers’ recognition of His blessing. (Psalm 96:8, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts”; 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”).
The bigger question is how free is Freewill Offering. Some posits that Freewill Offering has no standard but is a matter of personal preference or impulse as one feels, thus God accepts every offering.
However, the the Bible has standard on freewill offering as recorded in Leviticus 22:18-20 ( "... Whoever offers a freewill offering to the Lord, it shall be a male without blemish from the cattle, sheep or goats. Whatever has defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be accepted on your behalf"). Thus, from Leviticus 22:18-20, it's clear that God does not accept every freewill offering, for offerings are held to a high standard, calling for the best, offered freely and without blemish, underscoring the importance of sincerity and honor, placing God above personal needs and desires. The bible encourages believers to give God their best, not merely what is left over after real or imaginary personal needs and wants are met. Furthermore, Proverbs 3:9 instructs believers to give God their first best portion “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your increase"
Additionally, the bible upholds proportional and intentional giving, based on Deuteronomy 16:17, which states, “Every man shall gi
