Since it is a given that whatever we offer belongs to God and came from Him to begin with, the only thing we can do is to give cheerfully and wholeheartedly. According to Exodus 25:2b, the offering that each individual must bring in must come from each man whose heart prompts him to give. It is not out of compulsion. God wants to see His children willing and joyful in their giving. God wants the people to desire to bring in the offering because it is their worship unto Him. If this is not the attitude of our hearts when we are offering, then we are missing the point. According to John Currid’s commentary of this verse:

God makes giving to the building of the tabernacle a voluntary gesture! He does not demand, or command, how much a person is to give, or even that a person must give. He leaves it to the heart of the individual member of the covenant community.

An offering is not something forcibly taken from us, otherwise, it wouldn’t be called an offering. An offering is not something God takes from us, but something we freely give. Giving comes from the heart, not from the wallet nor the bank account. We should never give grudgingly, but always joyfully. The amount we give should not be based on a requirement imposed by others, but from the overflow of our hearts. What is more important to God than the amount, is the joy we have in giving.

There were specific times when God specified the amount His people should give. For example, when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were required to give 10 percent of their gross produce back to God (Lev. 27:30). This tithe was used to support the Levites, who did not have any land of their own but were scattered around the country. A second tithe went to support temple worship in Jerusalem (Deut. 12:17ff.). God expected his people to give regularly and faithfully to his worship and work. Also, special occasions—such as the building of the tabernacle—called for special offerings to support a specific work of the Lord.

The same pattern applies in the church today. The New Testament does not specify a particular amount for the tithe, but most Christians use the 10% as a useful guideline. Anything beyond 10%, is an offering. The amount varies for each individual, according to his income, and thus can help guide him in his giving, whether he is considered economically rich or poor.

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