A free-will offering in the biblical context refers to a voluntary gift or contribution made by an individual to God, distinct from obligatory tithes or sacrifices prescribed by Mosaic Law. These offerings are characterized by their spontaneity and the willingness of the giver, reflecting a heart of gratitude and devotion to God.

Old Testament Context

The concept of free-will offerings is rooted in the Old Testament, where it is frequently mentioned in the context of worship and temple service. In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites are invited to bring free-will offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle: "Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him" (Exodus 25:2). This passage highlights the voluntary nature of the offering, emphasizing that it should come from a heart moved by devotion.

Leviticus further outlines the nature of free-will offerings, distinguishing them from other types of sacrifices. Leviticus 22:18-19 states, "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 an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf." This indicates that while the offering is voluntary, it must still meet certain standards of purity and quality.

The Book of Deuteronomy also addresses free-will offerings, particularly in the context of the three annual pilgrimage festivals. Deuteronomy 16:10 instructs, "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." Here, the offering is a response to God's blessings, underscoring the principle of giving according to one's means.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "free-will offering," the principle is evident in the teachings of Jesus and the practices of the early church. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, encourages believers to give generously and willingly. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul writes, "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 the free-will offering, where the emphasis is on the attitude of the heart rather than the amount given.

The early church practiced this principle through communal sharing and support for those in need. Acts 4:34-35 describes how "there were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need." This voluntary sharing of resources exemplifies the free-will offering in action, motivated by love and unity within the body of Christ.

Theological Significance

The free-will offering holds significant theological implications, as it represents an act of worship and devotion that transcends mere obligation. It is an expression of the believer's relationship with God, characterized by gratitude, trust, and a desire to honor Him. The voluntary nature of the offering underscores the importance of the heart's intention in worship, aligning with the biblical principle that God values the giver's attitude over the gift itself.

In summary, the free-will offering is a profound expression of faith and devotion, rooted in the biblical tradition of giving freely and joyfully to God. It serves as a reminder of the believer's call to worship God with a willing heart, reflecting His generosity and grace in their own lives.5071. nedabah -- voluntariness, freewill offering
... spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by
inference, in plural) abundant gift -- free(-will) offering, freely, plentiful ...
/hebrew/5071.htm - 6k

Of Sacrifice, and of an Offering Worthy of God, and of the Form of ...
... Footnotes: [1270] Donum, a free-will offering or gift. See Exodus 25:2. [1271]
[ie, "the Eucharist" as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxv of sacrifice and of.htm

A Ribband of Blue.
... teaching. It commences with instruction concerning the burnt-offering, the
sacrifice in performing a vow, and the free-will offering. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/a ribband of blue.htm

Princely Service.
... And he that offered his offering"for a glad free-will offering it was"on the first
day was Nahshon, Nahshon the son of Amminadab, Nahshon the prince of the ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

Home Dedication.
... With the deep and sublime feelings of faith we should, therefore, take our little
ones, in infancy, before the Lord, as the free-will offering of the Christian ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter x home dedication.htm

How Theonas came to Abbot John.
... The language of the Conference, it will be noted, shows that they were not regarded
as legally due or in any way compulsory, but as a free-will offering on the ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter i how theonas came.htm

On the Atonement.
... This is done by God's free-will offering of His own Son for these great sins.
This being all done for you, sinners, what do you think of it? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm

Concerning Widows.
... For neither will the priests at any time receive a free-will offering from such
a one, as, suppose, from a rapacious person or from a harlot. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i concerning widows.htm

How in Egypt we Saw that the Daily Fast was Broken Without Scruple ...
... But as I am going to conduct you on your way, I cannot always keep you with me.
And a fast, although it is useful and advisable, is yet a free-will offering. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxiv how in egypt.htm

Its Source
... His obedience was therefore a "free will offering," and therefore as He did not
owe obedience to the law by any prior obligation, not being at all necessary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/6 its source.htm

Obedience
... You love to see your servants go cheerfully about their work. Under the
law, God will have a free-will offering. Deuteronomy 16:10. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 1 obedience.htm

Free-will-offering (9 Occurrences)
Free-will-offering. Freewill-offering, Free-will-offering. Freewill-offerings .
Multi-Version Concordance Free-will-offering (9 Occurrences). ...
/f/free-will-offering.htm - 9k

Free-will (9 Occurrences)
Free-will. Freewill, Free-will. Freewill-offering . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Free-willoffering. A spontaneous gift (Exodus 35:29 ...
/f/free-will.htm - 10k

Freewill-offering (14 Occurrences)
Freewill-offering. Free-will, Freewill-offering. Free-will-offering .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (ASV JPS). Free-will, Freewill-offering. Free-will-offering...
/f/freewill-offering.htm - 11k

Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences)
Freewill-offerings. Free-will-offering, Freewill-offerings. Free-will-offerings . ...
(ASV JPS). Free-will-offering, Freewill-offerings. Free-will-offerings ...
/f/freewill-offerings.htm - 9k

Freewill (27 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Free-willoffering. A spontaneous gift (Exodus
35:29), a voluntary sacrifice (Leviticus 22:23; Ezra 3:5 ...
/f/freewill.htm - 16k

Maimed (10 Occurrences)
... a peace offering (Leviticus 22:22); although under certain conditions a congenitally
deformed animal might be accepted as a free-willoffering, apparently the ...
/m/maimed.htm - 11k

Pentecost (3 Occurrences)
... Besides the sacrifices prescribed for the occasion, every one was to bring to the
Lord his "tribute of a free-willoffering" (Deuteronomy 16:9-11). ...
/p/pentecost.htm - 21k

Current (4 Occurrences)
... See the Revised Version margin. The reference is probably not to a money standard,
but to a poll tax which was levied in addition to the free-willoffering. ...
/c/current.htm - 10k

Assisted (9 Occurrences)
... he 'is' a sojourner, assist him do the men of his place with silver, and with gold,
and with goods, and with beasts, along with a free-willoffering for the ...
/a/assisted.htm - 9k

Assist (17 Occurrences)
... he 'is' a sojourner, assist him do the men of his place with silver, and with gold,
and with goods, and with beasts, along with a free-willoffering for the ...
/a/assist.htm - 11k

What is a free will offering / freewill offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a peace offering / fellowship offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is conditional election? | GotQuestions.org

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