When the early church went through a famine, the Macedonian congregation contributed spontaneously, somewhat putting to shame the Corinthian congregation.

Fear of any kind is never an excuse to break any of God's laws. God wants us to learn the principle of reciprocity- that what we sow we will also reap.

When Paul attempted to motivate the Corinthians, he compared them to the Philippians, who were more generous with what they had than the richer Corinthians.

An acceptable offering must be thoughtfully considered, contain some sacrifice, given in faith and without a grudging spirit.

Deuteronomy 16:16 does not specify the exact amount of the offering, but does ask us to make a thoughtful recollection of the benefits received from God.

Whatever the future held, the widow's life with God would always show her love for God, no matter what the circumstances.

Offerings are commanded just as much as tithes, but God gives us the choice to determine just how valuable the physical and spiritual blessings are for us.

The widow described in Luke 21:1-4 gave a paltry 2 mites—a mere quarter of one cent. Yet she sacrificed all she had rather than giving from excess.

An offering is a gift given to God. The Bible clearly shows that the requirement for the offering was in force at the time of Adam and Eve.

God intends that we give ourselves as living sacrifices, mortifying our carnal nature, allowing God to consume our abilities in service.

Christ's sacrifice was both a sacrifice (fulfilling the law, which requires the shedding of blood for expiation from sin) and an offering (freely given).

The Pastor General of a well-known church made a statement that turned the giving of offerings into a competition and a rich man's game. Is this God's intent?

Attitude, attitude, and attitude should lead us to correctly estimate the value of God's spiritual gifts.

The first recorded offering teaches that offerings arise from the fruits of our labor and that God values the giver's heart more than the gift itself.

The widow who gave a mere two mites gave more than all the other contributors combined because she gave out of her poverty with genuine sacrifice.

The New Covenant sacrifices are far more demanding than the Old Covenant sacrifices. But there are poignant lessons to be learned from animal sacrifices.

Incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints. Our offerings, as our prayers, should remain holy for the Lord, exuding a fragrant aroma.

Undergiving in offerings, sometimes caused by mismanaging our finances, is more often caused by passively forgetting the blessings God has given us.

The Parable of the Rich Fool illustrates that, when one has all the material possessions he could want, he may still not be rich toward God.

We will reap what we sow; if we sow in fear, we will reap fear, but if we sow in faith, trust, and love, we will reap spiritual and physical abundance.

Our offerings should consist of prayer, service to others, as well as material or monetary contributions, reflecting our gratitude for blessings.

The context for the oft-misquoted 'money is the root of all evil' is a warning against ministers who wish to enrich themselves using the pretext of God's Word.

Our patriarch Abraham, when God tested him by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, knew that God will provide regardless of the cost of the sacrifice.

God's Word describes the ritual harlot and the sodomite as vile dogs and the basest of people. The wages of sexual immorality would defile any offering.

If God cannot trust a person to properly handle a small amount of money, He will not give him responsibility over more crucial matters.

We must learn to be content to be weak and powerless, realizing that, when we are poor in spirit, we receive power from God's Holy Spirit.

Abel was totally consumed, becoming the first martyr for faith. Likewise, when we are called to God, we can expect to be used until we are consumed.

Wealth will certainly damage our character if we permit it to control us. Riches cannot buy forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, or eternal life.

Giving a gift strengthens the bond between individuals, bringing about a warm feeling in the giver toward the one receiving the gift.

Both giving and gracefully receiving are equally essential for personal and spiritual growth. Receiving fostering humility and strengthens relationships.

Our service and sacrifice should never be considered a burden, but a joy, declaring the excellency of God, witnessing what God in Christ has done for us.

The sacrificial system of Leviticus typifies spiritual sacrifices which we perform under the New Covenant. The animal sacrifices focused on total commitment.

Churches or institutions that accept offerings gained from evil enterprises accept tainted money, coddling the sinner for the sake of gain.

Like the farmer waiting patiently for the rains, we must wait patiently for the yield of the implanted seed, the fruit God will harvest from us.

The most significant offering ever given to a dignitary—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—was given to Jesus Christ by the magi.

Our offerings must reflect the radiance of Christ. Only God can assess the quality of light in the precious stones He has called.

Because we do not have an abundance of material blessings, we are gently forced to go back to Almighty God for our sustenance, much the same way as Israel.

In I Peter 2:5-9, God's people are called a chosen generation and a royal priesthood, God's own distinctive people, commissioned to offer sacrifices.

If God's people keep their focus upon His purpose for them as outlined by His Holy Days, they will be able to accomplish the work God has given them.

Herbert Armstrong used his advertising skill to teach the truth of God, unlike the peddlers of the 'Prosperity' gospel who promise material blessings.

God commands us to set our minds on things above and not on the earthly, seeking the eternal Kingdom of God rather than perishable treasures of this world.

God does not do things uselessly, and certainly does not need our physical goods. Being a living sacrifice produces successful living.

We are a kingdom of priests, called to be living sacrifices, ardently serving God, with a view of being consumed or used up in service to Him.

Rejoicing did not become commanded until Pentecost, a joyous time in which God has brought us into fellowship with Our High Priest, enabling peace with Him.

The three principles for acquiring prosperity (diligently working, wisely managing what one has earned, and meticulously saving) all militate against laziness.

The renewing of our minds is a daily sacrifice in which carnality is continuously put to death, replaced by God's Spirit, yielding an aroma desired by God.

Abel offered his sacrifice in obedience to God's instructions. We must worship Him in a spirit of truth, bringing about a profound change in heart.

God does not measure prosperity by the ownership of physical possessions but with the depth of a person's relationship with Him.

In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur asks God to cushion him from the extremes of poverty or excessive wealth, allowing himself to live a balanced life of contentment.