Ex 35:20-22 (NIV) Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord.
NOTE: This part is different from the requirements of the OT law regarding tithe. This is a freewill offering and more akin to the NT concept of giving "each one must as he made up his mind … not reluctantly, but cheerfully." Unfortunately, we do seem to confuse the idea of the OT tithe, which is required by the law, and the NT concepts of giving, which are more akin to the freewill offering here, and not to a set amount. Why is it we feel we must reach some "percentage" to be pleasing God? Why are we not comfortable with freewill offerings in all of our giving? Maybe, we are really holding back, and as long as we hit the magic ten percent, we can do what we want. Of course, that is also a misconception, because the Israelites were required to give a tithe twice a year, and every third year, were required to give three tithes, averaging out to about 23 percent of one's income. Lord, free us from rules and man-made conceptions of serving you. Free us to truly serve you in spirit above law.
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