Exodus 36 · a question people ask
Should Christians give a set amount, or whatever they choose?
The gifts in this chapter were "free will offerings" (36:3), from "everyone whose heart stirred him up" (35:21), with no amount set (25:2). The Law also set a tithe: "All the tithe of the land… is the LORD’s" (Leviticus 27:30). Christians agree that giving should be willing: "Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). They differ on whether the tithe still sets a pattern for giving.
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
The tithe is still a guide
Those who hold this view note that Abram "gave him a tenth of all" (Genesis 14:20) before the Law was given, and Hebrews recalls it (Hebrews 7:4). Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees, who tithed mint, dill and cumin, "you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone" (Matthew 23:23). So they take a tenth as a starting point for giving.
Genesis 14:20 · Hebrews 7:4 · Matthew 23:23
Freely, as each has decided
Those who hold this view note that the New Testament letters describe giving in terms like these: "according as he has determined in his heart" (2 Corinthians 9:7), "acceptable according to what you have" (2 Corinthians 8:12), "as he may prosper" (1 Corinthians 16:2). They read the free will offerings of Exodus 35-36 as the pattern, given "as he is able" (Deuteronomy 16:17).
2 Corinthians 9:7 · 2 Corinthians 8:12 · 1 Corinthians 16:2 · Deuteronomy 16:17
The verses
“They received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They kept bringing free will offerings to him every morning.”
“They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments.”
““Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering.”
““‘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.”