Lessons From LeviticusSample

Bring my Own Offering

Leviticus 1:1–4 - The Lord called out to Moses. He spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, “Speak to the Israelites. Tell them, ‘Suppose anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord. They must bring an animal from their herd or flock. If someone brings a burnt offering from the herd, they must offer a male animal. It must not have any flaws. They must bring it to the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then the Lord will accept it. They must place their hand on the head of the burnt offering. Then the Lord will accept it in place of them. It will pay for their sin.’” (NIrV)

In the opening verses of the book of Leviticus, the Lord instructs Moses on the rules of offering. Offerings are optional; they are not a requirement; we have a choice whether we want to give or not. But in the event that someone brings an offering, it ‘must be from their own herd or flock.’ Any offering that we present to the Lord ‘must’ be from what we own and not from someone else. There ought to be a direct connection between me and what I present to the Lord.

The Lord’s instructions to Moses included a requirement that the bringer of the offering place his hand on the head of the animal. This connection facilitated God's acceptance of the offering (verse 4).

Many well-meaning parents (like so many of us) may not be aware of this principle. I am sure, like me, you have seen parents reach into their purses, wallets, or pockets and hand their children an offering for the children’s service. However, although well-meaning, this approach may require re-examination in light of today’s passage. Perhaps, our children should be encouraged to prepare ‘their’ own offering from any weekly allowance/pocket money they receive and present their offering from this.

Another common, well-meaning habit is the giving of offerings on behalf of our spouse or partner. As we have already seen, each person must bring their own offering before the Lord. Just as we all have an individual personal relationship with the Lord, perhaps we should consider whether we all ought to have an individual personal offering relationship with the Lord?

Questions: Is my offering my own? Is there a direct connection between my offering and me? Am I teaching my children to give out of their own – what belongs to them?