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The Character and Use of the Offer
For some thought, since Judas had the bag, that Jesus said to him, Buy what we need for the feast, or give something to the poor. (John 13:29)
The offerings made to the Lord's ministry are for the minister's sustenance and to help and comfort those in need.
The Character of the Offer
In the Lord, contributions (offerings, tithes, vows, etc.) are accepted if they meet the following requirements:
- The offering must be in the possession of the bidder, it cannot be a loan or another.
… as you have. For if first there is the will willing, it will be accepted according to what one has, not according to what one has not. (2Cor 8)
No, but I will buy it for a price; for I will not offer burnt offerings to Yahweh my God, which shall not cost me anything. (2Satan 24:24)
- Whoever offers voluntarily assumes andfreely that obligation, without any mental reservation.
Let each one give as he proposed in his heart: not with sorrow, nor out of necessity, for God loves the cheerful giver (2Cor 9:7)
And every man came to whom his heart encouraged, and every man to whom his spirit gave him will, with an offering to Jehovah (Exodus 35:21).
Whoever offers, must offer"[…] taste or offering totally burnt;"that is, to lose all right to it," […] your bread upon the waters…"So the Lord can dofreelyHis work as He wants it, without any censorship.
Of course, this work is done through the minister who administers the offering instead of the Lord. It can be said that no minister can exercise authority over those who offer sacrifice:"the kings of the nations exercise authority, but it shall not be so among you…"The minister must not enter into agreements with the parishioners so that contributions never become due to obligation or demand, but by faith and faith.
But now that the offering is in the hands of the minister, he has and exercises authority over the offering offered voluntarily, to do with it as the Holy Spirit tells him.
… to carry this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord… preventing anyone from censoring us about this abundant offering that we administer… seeking to do things honestly, not only before the Lord but also before men. (2Cor 8)
The Use of the Offer
"Buy what we need"The disciples thought, for the Lord of the bag, which Judas administered, made use of the offerings that entered into His ministry. Here the minister's right to use it for his livelihood and/or necessity is implicitly expressed.
Don't we have the right to eat and drink? ( 1Cor 9:4)
Who was never a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and doesn't eat its fruit? Or who feeds the flock and does not drink the milk of the flock? (1Cor 9:7)
If we sow among you the spiritual, is it great if we reap from you the material? (1Cor 9:11)
"… or give something to the poor."The second use of offerings is expressed in this assumption of the disciples. The minister must make use of the offerings to console and supply what the body needs. The exercise of Mercy is the essence of the ministry and the practice of the Holy Spirit." […] pure and spotless…"
The minister supplies his need first because he is the vehicle, the transmitter of the Gospel and the spiritual benefits of the Lord."… but do me first…"said Elijah to the widow. Then the man of God supplemented her need:"And the flour of the pan was not scarce, neither the oil of the vessel was diminished, according to the word which Jehovah had spoken by Elijah."
In the same way, the early Church exercised the"…………………… every day"of all offerings and supplied those in need in such a way that"there was none among themin need".
Then the disciples, each according to what he had, determined to send help to the brethren who dwelt in Judea (Acts 11:29).
In all things I have taught you that by working in this way you must help the needy, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, "Blessed is to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
They only asked us to remember the poor, which I also diligently tried to do. (Gal 2:10)
The pure and spotless religion before God the Father is this: To visit orphans and widows in their tribulations… (James 1:27)
The offerings that enter the Lord's treasure have a character and requirements for their use. These requirements are expressed in the doctrines of Jesus Christ and his apostles; and in the practice of the early Church.
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