Free-will-offerings
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Definition and Nature
Free-will offerings, as described in the Bible, are voluntary contributions made by individuals out of their own volition, without any obligation or compulsion. These offerings are distinct from mandatory tithes or sacrifices prescribed by the Mosaic Law. They are expressions of gratitude, devotion, and worship towards God, reflecting the giver's heart and willingness to honor the Lord.

Biblical References
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 Exodus 35:29 , it is recorded, "So all the men and women of Israel whose hearts were willing brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do." This passage highlights the voluntary nature of these offerings, emphasizing the willingness of the heart as a key component.

Leviticus 22:18-21 provides further instructions regarding free-will offerings: "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 a male without defect from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order that it may be accepted on your behalf." This passage underscores the importance of offering something of value and without blemish, signifying the purity and sincerity of the giver's intentions.

Purpose and Significance
Free-will offerings serve multiple purposes in the biblical narrative. They are acts of worship, expressions of thanksgiving, and means of supporting the work of the temple and the needs of the community. In Deuteronomy 16:10 , the Israelites are instructed, "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." This demonstrates the connection between God's blessings and the response of the believer through free-will offerings.

Moreover, free-will offerings are a testament to the personal relationship between the individual and God. They reflect the giver's acknowledgment of God's provision and sovereignty, as well as a desire to participate in His work. In 1 Chronicles 29:9 , the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, "for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. And King David also rejoiced greatly."

New Testament Perspective
While the New Testament does not explicitly mention free-will offerings in the same terms as the Old Testament, the principle of voluntary giving continues. 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 echoes the spirit of free-will offerings, emphasizing the importance of giving from the heart and the joy that accompanies such acts of generosity.

Conclusion
Free-will offerings, therefore, are a vital aspect of biblical worship and community life, representing the voluntary and heartfelt devotion of believers to God. They are a tangible expression of faith, gratitude, and commitment to the divine purposes, underscoring the principle that true worship arises from a willing and generous heart.
Library

How among the Egyptians they Apply Themselves all Day Long to ...
... compulsion of a rule: as David for this rejoices somewhat exultingly when he says,
"Freely will I sacrifice unto Thee;" and, "Let the free will offerings of my ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii how among the.htm

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... first-fruits, which are given according to the command of God, as a man of God;
as also let him dispense in a right manner the free-will offerings which are ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

Princely Service.
... created anew in CHRIST JESUS unto good works, when led by the SPIRIT, first give
themselves unto GOD, and then delight in such other free-will offerings as the ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

He Entreats God for Her Sins, and Admonishes his Readers to ...
... 36. And I believe Thou hast already done that which I ask Thee; but "accept the
free-will offerings of my mouth, O Lord." [804] For she, when the day of her ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xiii he entreats god for.htm

A Willing People.
... Whatever is given out of a warm, willing heart is eagerly accepted by Him.
The Hebrew tabernacle was constructed of free-will offerings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a willing people.htm

But Now, with a Heart Cured of that Wound...
... had compassion. And, I believe, Thou hast already done what I ask; but
accept, O Lord, the free-will offerings of my mouth. For ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xiii but now with.htm

Concerning Widows.
... For they that give gifts do not of their own head give them to the widows, but barely
bring them in, calling them free-will offerings, that so thou that ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i concerning widows.htm

The Double Altar, Widows and virgins; Gold the Symbol of virginity ...
... the brazen altar to the company and circuit of widows; for they are a living altar
of God, to which they bring calves and tithes, and free-will offerings, as a ...
/.../chapter viii the double altar widows.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... And he taught me the law of the priesthood, of sacrifices, whole burnt-offerings,
first-fruits, free-will offerings, thank-offerings. ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

Yorkshire and the Settlement System.
... And here we cannot help but notice the difference between the Moravian diacony system
and the well-known system of free-will offerings enforced by John Wesley ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter x yorkshire and the.htm

Thesaurus
Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)
Free-will-offerings. Freewill-offerings, Free-will-offerings. Freewoman .
Multi-Version Concordance Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences). ...
/f/free-will-offerings.htm - 8k

Free-will (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 29:39 These things ye shall do to the LORD in your set feasts, besides your
vows, and your free-will-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and for your ...
/f/free-will.htm - 10k

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

Monthly (11 Occurrences)
... present"; zebhach shelamim, "sacrifice of peace offerings"; zebhach ha-todhah,
"thank offerings"; zebhach nedhabhah, "free-willofferings"; zebhach nedher ...
/m/monthly.htm - 93k

Libations (29 Occurrences)
... Numbers 29:39 These ye prepare to Jehovah in your appointed seasons, apart from
your vows, and your free-willofferings, for your burnt-offerings, and for your ...
/l/libations.htm - 16k

Leavened (16 Occurrences)
... Amos 4:5 offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim
freewillofferings and brag about them: for this pleases you, you children ...
/l/leavened.htm - 12k

Israelite (83 Occurrences)
... the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that bringeth his offering,
whether it be any of their vows, or any of their free-will-offerings, which are ...
/i/israelite.htm - 33k

Findest (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ezra 7:16 and all the silver and gold that thou findest in all the province
of Babylon, with the free-willofferings of the people, and of the priests ...
/f/findest.htm - 8k

Freewoman (4 Occurrences)

/f/freewoman.htm - 8k

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)
... the unclean from entering the sacred enclosure (2 Chronicles 23:19); they had charge
of the sacred vessels and of the free-willofferings (2 Chronicles 31:14 ...
/d/doorkeeper.htm - 13k

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

What is seed faith? What is a seed faith offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the refiner's fire and launderer's soap in Malachi 3:2? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)

Leviticus 22:18
Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whosoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners in Israel, that offereth his oblation, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill-offerings, which they offer unto Jehovah for a burnt-offering;
(See JPS WBS)

Leviticus 23:38
Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your free-will-offerings, which ye give to the LORD.
(WBS)

Numbers 29:39
These things ye shall do to the LORD in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your free-will-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and for your meat-offerings, and for your drink-offerings, and for your peace-offerings.
(WBS)

Deuteronomy 12:17
Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy free-will-offerings, or heave-offering of thy hand:
(WBS)

2 Chronicles 31:14
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter towards the east, was over the free-will-offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
(WBS)

Psalms 119:108
Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will-offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
(WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Free-will-offerings

Related Terms

Bondwoman (17 Occurrences)

Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)

Free-woman (4 Occurrences)

Mered (2 Occurrences)

Bondmaid (18 Occurrences)

Howbeit (103 Occurrences)

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Sarah (38 Occurrences)

Hagar (15 Occurrences)

Heir (20 Occurrences)

Freewill-offerings
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