by Буратино on Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:00 pm
Well, it is a much quicker if I do it in English.
We are taught to give to God in order for him to look at our offering and then give us something back, sort of business like. In the contrary in the Bible when you will be looking at every Father of Israel (Jacob in particular) you will see that he made a deal with God before he gave anything, not after and it was that IF God will bless him in EVERYTHING, he will give God 10th of of that everything.
Next thing we are missing preaching and listening about 10% is that those offerings were not "given" anywhere onto the priesthood until Temple was built, and even then there were some interesting points we miss a lot.
Anyway, the offering was "given" in Thanksgiving to God, everyone in the family were getting together, there were sacrifices, there were joyful fists, praises, lots of poor people were invited to enjoy the BLESSING of the Lord and stuff like that. So it was God who gave first, then people were rejoicing by "burning" and giving away 10% to have fun before God and thank Him.
That’s pretty much everything there was. We have different meaning now, so don't get too excited, we have to pay for Church building rent, buy stuff, support poor and needy, so whatever you give is use (hopefully) to thank God for His Blessings to you and your family. But you have to be smart and wise when sacrificing anything, especially if you have nothing to give at the moment (long story, next time).
Буратино. Кнопки не нажимать, стрельнет.