A freewill-offering in the biblical context refers to a voluntary gift or sacrifice given to God, distinct from obligatory offerings or tithes. These offerings are characterized by the voluntary nature of the giver, reflecting a heart of gratitude, devotion, and worship. The concept of freewill-offerings is rooted in the understanding that God desires offerings that come from a willing heart rather than out of compulsion.

Old Testament Context

The practice of freewill-offerings is established in the Mosaic Law, where it is mentioned alongside other types of offerings. In Leviticus 22:18-21 , the Lord instructs Moses to tell the Israelites: "When any of you or your descendants present a freewill offering to the LORD, whether it is a burnt offering or a sacrifice, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable on your behalf." This passage highlights the importance of offering something of value and quality, underscoring the sincerity and reverence expected in worship.

Freewill-offerings were often given in the context of communal worship and were used for the maintenance of the tabernacle and later the temple. In Exodus 35:29 , the Israelites are described as bringing freewill-offerings for the construction of the tabernacle: "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."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention freewill-offerings in the same manner as the Old Testament, the principle of giving freely and willingly is evident. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , the Apostle 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 freewill-offerings, emphasizing the importance of the giver's attitude and the voluntary nature of the gift.

Theological Significance

Freewill-offerings are significant in that they represent an individual's personal devotion and gratitude to God. They are an expression of worship that goes beyond obligation, reflecting a heart that is aligned with God's purposes. The voluntary nature of these offerings underscores the biblical principle that God values the heart and intention behind the gift more than the gift itself.

In the broader biblical narrative, freewill-offerings serve as a reminder of the believer's call to live a life of generosity and selflessness, mirroring the grace and provision of God. They encourage believers to give not only of their resources but also of their time, talents, and lives in service to God and others.5071. nedabah -- voluntariness, freewill offering
... 5070, 5071. nedabah. 5072 . voluntariness, freewill offering. Transliteration:
nedabah Phonetic Spelling: (ned-aw-baw') Short Definition: offering. ...
/hebrew/5071.htm - 6k

5068. nadab -- to incite, impel
... root Definition to incite, impel NASB Word Usage freewill offering (1), given as
a freewill offering (1), made offering (1), make offerings willingly (1 ...
/hebrew/5068.htm - 6k

5069. nedab -- to volunteer, offer freely
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to nadab Definition to volunteer, offer freely
NASB Word Usage freely offered (1), freewill offering (1), offered willingly ...
/hebrew/5069.htm - 6k

September 17. "Thy People Shall be a Freewill Offering in the Day ...
... "Thy people shall be a freewill offering in the day of Thy power" (Ps. cx. 3).
"Thy people shall be a freewill offering in the day of Thy power" (Psalm 110:3). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 17 thy people shall.htm

Of the Oblation of Christ Upon the Cross, and of Resignation of ...
... Therefore ought the freewill offering of thyself into the hands of God to go
before all thy works, if thou wilt attain liberty and grace. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter viii of the oblation.htm

Nun.
... well understood the sacrifices of praise, offered up in the confession of love,
not from the fear of necessity; whence it is said, "a freewill offering will I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/nun.htm

Altar and Temple
... both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated,
and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord.6 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

That we Ought to Offer Ourselves and all that is Ours to God, and ...
... Lord, all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine.(1) I desire to offer
myself up unto thee as a freewill offering, and to continue Thine for ever. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ix that we ought.htm

The Passages of Scripture Above Cited are Taken as an Occasion for ...
... But hear Him speak when He does even as He will: "I have willed to do Thy will,
O my God;" [1964] and again: "I will offer Thee a freewill offering." [1965]. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi the passages of.htm

The Eve of the Restoration
... place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with
gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewill offering for the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the eve of the restoration.htm

George Muller, and the Secret of His
... rules: 1. Not to receive any fixed salary, both because in the collecting of it
there was often much that was at variance with the freewill offering with which ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/george muller and the secret.htm

Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... "Ye are holy unto the Lord," Ezra declared; "the vessels are holy also; and the
silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the Lord God of your fathers. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... She stood weeping' (Luke 7). She came to Christ with ointment in her hand, with
love in her heart, with tears in her eyes. God is for a freewill offering. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

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

Freewill (27 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (a.) of or pertaining to free will; voluntary; spontaneous;
as, a freewilloffering. Int. ...FREEWILLOFFERING. fre'-wil of'-er-ing. ...
/f/freewill.htm - 16k

Willingly (27 Occurrences)
... the offerings of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of Yahweh that were
consecrated, and of everyone who willingly offered a freewilloffering to Yahweh. ...
/w/willingly.htm - 14k

Vow (49 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:16 "'But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a freewilloffering,
it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice; and on the ...
/v/vow.htm - 27k

Votive (13 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:16 "'But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a freewilloffering,
it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice; and on the ...
/v/votive.htm - 10k

Voluntarily (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 23:23 That which is gone out of your lips you shall observe and do;
according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, a freewilloffering, which you ...
/v/voluntarily.htm - 8k

Uttered (60 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 22:21 And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah
to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the flock ...
/u/uttered.htm - 23k

Fulfilment (25 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 22:21 And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah
to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the flock ...
/f/fulfilment.htm - 13k

Provides (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 46:12 When the prince shall prepare a freewilloffering, a burnt offering
or peace offerings as a freewilloffering to Yahweh, one shall open for him ...
/p/provides.htm - 11k

Accomplish (44 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 22:21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to accomplish
a vow, or for a freewilloffering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall ...
/a/accomplish.htm - 21k

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

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

What is a heave offering? | GotQuestions.org

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