Offerings and Tithes

Offerings are material expressions of faith and devotion. The animal sacrifices of ancient times long ago gave way to monetary donations and tithes, as well as gifts to mendicant monks.

Every offering, regardless of its kind, represents an outward expression of a devoted heart. Essentially, an offering is a substitute for the self.

Therefore, scripture instructs us to offer up the things that are dearest willingly and without any reservations or lingering attachments. The biblical standard for offerings is the tithe—ten percent of one’s income.

Offerings—Out of a Pure and Devoted Heart

You will not attain piety until you expend of what you love; and whatever thing you expend, God knows of it. Qur’an 3.92

Every sacrifice is a boat to heaven. Satapatha Brahmana 4.2.5.10 (Hinduism)

The spirit that eats a man’s offering pays him back with life. Yoruba Proverb (African Traditional Religions)

And the beasts of sacrifice—we have appointed them for you as among God’s waymarks; therein is good for you. So mention God’s name over them, standing in ranks; then, when their flanks collapse, eat of them and feed the beggar and the suppliant. So we have subjected them to you; haply you will be thankful. The flesh of them shall not reach God, neither their blood, but godliness from you shall reach Him. So He has subjected them to you, that you may magnify God for that He has guided you. Qur’an 22.36-37

Weeds are the bane of fields; lust is the bane of mankind. Hence what is given to those without lust yields abundant fruit. Weeds are the bane of fields; hatred is the bane of mankind. Hence what is given to those rid of hatred yields abundant fruit. Weeds are the bane of fields; delusion is the bane of mankind. Hence what is given to those rid of delusion yields abundant fruit. Weeds are the bane of fields; craving is the bane of mankind. Hence what is given to those rid of craving yields abundant fruit. Dhammapada 356-59 (Buddhism)

The dedication of the offering is God; that which is offered is God; God offers it on God’s fire. God is attained by those who concentrate on God’s work. Some aspirants offer material sacrifices; others offer selfless service upon the altar of God. Some renounce all enjoyment of the senses, sacrificing them in the fire of asceticism. Others partake of sense objects but offer them in service through the fire of the senses. Some offer the workings of the senses and the vital forces through the fire of self-control, kindled in the path of knowledge. Some offer wealth; others offer asceticism and suffering. Some take vows and offer knowledge and study of the scriptures, and some make the offering of meditation. Some offer the forces of vitality, regulating their inhalation and exhalation, offering their life-breath as they breathe in and breathe out. Others offer the forces of vitality by fasting. All these understand the meaning of sacrifice and will be cleansed of their impurities. Bhagavad-Gita 4.24-30 (Hinduism)

Of the saying, “The word ‘sacrifice’ is like the word ‘present’; one should sacrifice to a spirit as though the spirit were present,” Confucius said, “If I am not present at the sacrifice, it is as though there were no sacrifice.” Analects 3.12 (Confucianism)

Rabbi Meir was once asked, “Why do the scriptures tell us in some passages that sacrifice is very pleasant unto the Lord, while in others it is said that God dislikes sacrifices?” He answered, “It depends whether a man’s heart is sacrificed at the time he brings the sacrifice.” Baraita Kallah 8 (Judaism)

And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury [of the Temple], and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, her whole living.” Mark 12.41-44

Whatever is given should be given with faith, not without faith—with joy, with modesty, with fear, with kindness. Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11.3 (Hinduism)

“Make your offering,” said the Master. “As you make it be pleased in mind. Make your mind completely calm and contented. Focus and fill the offering mind with the giving. From this secure position, you can be free from ill will.” Sutta Nipata 506 (Buddhism)

When a man goes to sacrifice he must remain peaceful, without a hot heart. He must stay thus for at least a day. If he quarrels on that day or is hot in his heart he becomes sick and destroys the words of the lineage and of the sacrifice. Luhya Saying (African Traditional Religions)

The word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this temple lies in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the Lord of Hosts: ‘Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them in a bag with holes… Go up to the hills, and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the Lord.”45 Haggai 1.3-8

Now the company of those who believed was of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power, the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But a man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Acts 4.32-5.5

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
People present offerings because they want to be saved and return to God. The offering they give is in place of their bodies. When it is done properly, the three—the person making the offering, the offering, and God—become one. No gap should exist there. (274:199-200, November 3, 1995)

Restoration through indemnity is the guiding principle of our walk of faith. Every act of indemnity requires an offering. The offering serves as a conditional object given in place of ourselves. In other words, the offering is an object external to ourselves, and we are the internal counterpart of the object. We must be united with our offering to advance in our life of faith. (67:113, May 27, 1973)

There should be no separation between the offering and the person offering it.

They should be united in heart. In other words, when you make an offering, you should give something you love. It will not do to offer something you do not care about.

You should regard the sacrificial offering as representing your very blood and flesh. Therefore, you should offer the most valuable thing you own. If you own something very precious, it will make a good offering. (47:285, August 30, 1971)

Instead of offering a lamb, have this conviction: “Like a lamb that obediently goes to the slaughter, I will absolutely obey Thee, O Lord.” Instead of offering a cow, think, “Like a cow that offers its whole self, I will be an absolute sacrifice for Thy will.” Instead of offering a dove with an earnest heart, think, “With this heart I will love Thee absolutely.” (97:289, March 26, 1978)

Suppose you have some precious treasure or property. Would you think it wonderful if God’s order came to offer all of it for the sake of the world?

Do you yearn for the day when you can offer it? People who think like that will be blessed. If you really want to give it, then God will bless you and add to your abundance before that time comes. (308:206, January 5, 1999)

God originally intended that human beings possess all things of creation on the basis of true love. When you can rightly proclaim that you are the inheritors of all things because you embody true love while Satan does not, then Satan cannot accuse you.

Therefore, you must love material things more than Satan loves them. Taking back the tithe from the satanic world and offering it to Heaven… is the condition to demonstrate that you are better than Satan in loving humankind, loving the world, and loving God. (128:101, June 5, 1983)

Do you know the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the Bible?

After selling their property to offer it to the church, they hid some of the proceeds and donated only half, claiming that it was everything. For this, they were punished. When it comes to making an offering, “everything” means everything.

If you hold something back, you will pay a price for it and be punished. You are not permitted to have a lingering attachment to the offering or think of it as your own possession. If you have such an attitude, you should clean it up before the time of judgment arrives. (122:22-23, October 31, 1982)

When you make a donation at church, you should not use money left over after buying something to eat. That money is defiled. God is not present with donations given out of the change you received after buying things at the market. (48:86, September 5, 1971)

I hear that in some Christian churches, those who make large donations are chosen to be elders and deacons. We should not have such motives. We should give our donations in the spirit of giving our lives for the sake of our nation and the world, and [confirm them] by loving our nation and the world. (166:71, May 25, 1987)

Today, in Christian churches, they circulate baskets for donations. What would you call this way of collecting donations? Are they beggars? Shall we also receive donations in this fashion?

The congregation should make donations in a donation box placed at the entrance door as an expression of sincere gratitude for having offered their utmost devotion and received grace from God. (166:319, June 14, 1987)

Tithes

All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. 46 Leviticus 27.30

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that thou givest me I will give the tenth to thee.” Genesis 28.20-22

All the tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord. A man shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, neither shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it, then both it and that for which it is exchanged shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. Leviticus 27.32-33

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, “How are we robbing thee?” In your tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me; the whole nation of you.

Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. Malachi 3.8-10

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear?” says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. “You say, ‘How have we despised thy name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. And you say, ‘How have we polluted it?’ By thinking that the Lord’s table may be despised.

When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that no evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that no evil? Present that to your governor; will he be pleased with you or show you favor?…

Oh, that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire upon my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will not accept an offering from your hand.” Malachi 1.6-11

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
By offering a tithe from your possessions, it is as if you offered all that you have.

Although you do not offer everything, offering one-tenth with all of your heart and mind has the value of the whole.

By offering one part, the other nine parts also come to be considered holy. The person who tithes will never perish. As days go by, his storeroom will fill with more material blessings. (31:240, June 4, 1970)

You should give a tithe of everything you possess, even a tithe of your time. (150:219, April 15, 1961)

Just as you pay taxes to your nation, you should pay tithes to Heaven. (150:219, April 15, 1961)

Tithing applies in every aspect of life. Even in school, one in ten classrooms should be used for less fortunate children to give them classes free of charge. (166:319)

Whenever you raise funds from others, add something of your own; then your offering will be acceptable to God. Do not set aside a portion of the proceeds for yourself; instead, add a tithe from your own possessions.

If you earned nine, add one-tenth to make it ten and offer it; then the offering will be accepted. To scrape up the money, you can sell your clothes, your watch, or even your schoolbooks.

Since you and your family are a central family collecting money from the community, nation, and world to offer to God, you need to set the example by collecting money from your own possessions. (116:145, December 27, 1981)

When you tithe, your offering should be the first and the purest thing that you have invested with your most sincere heart and mind. Suppose you are going to offer one of your sons.

Would you offer a son whom you dislike or who is hopeless?

That son is not qualified to be an offering. Rather, you should offer your best son, the one whom you love most. Why? The offering represents your very self. (48:85, September 5, 1971)

Offering a fixed portion of your income for the maintenance of the church sounds excellent, but I think it is terrible. Making an offering to God should be the priority in life, before thinking of your life or your possessions.

By thinking that it is enough to offer only a small percentage of your income, you are cultivating the habit of putting your life first and putting God second. If you put God in second place, eventually He will end up in last place. (96:101, January 2, 1978)