Father: help us to please you by giving you want you want of us.
Offerings where a major part of the Old Testament religious practice. The laws given by Moses contain various offerings; sin offerings, atonement offerings, peace offerings just to name few. The vast percentage of Biblical references to offerings comes in Leviticus and Numbers.
The New Testament, in contrast, names very few specifically.
One of the reasons is that the Levitical Priesthood of the Old Testament was not the way to God in the New Testament; that capacity was performed by “our High Priest in Heaven” described in detail in the letter to the Hebrews. Offerings where the 'salary' of the priests. The priests offered a token sacrifice to God and where allowed to keep the rest. It formed their meals and the meals of their families.
People of all ages seem to have the ability to 'look after number one', distorting the truth if it is of advantage to them. The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, are examples of this. The account recorded in 1 Samuel 2 tells of them ignoring the commandments of God if if was for their own gain, even to the point of threatening to take the sacrifice raw by force.
Offerings were aimed at supporting the priesthood and allowing the people to contribute to God's work. While the tabernacle and it's furnishing were being built people could contribute gold, silver, brass, linen, wood, etc. While it was initially a generous act, the idea of 'buying absolution' became something the priesthood (and the church in this country) pushed as much as they could. They became rich and the people became complacent, thinking that a generous offering at their death could hide the sins committed during their life. This idea was encouraged by the priesthood as it allowed them vast wealth and power.
Once again, a simple act of faith can been corrupted by greed. Jesus saw through this, and taught that the way to God was by faith and living a good life in God's sight. Just after he was questioned about the greatest commandment. The scribe, who must have understood Jesus' teachings replies in conformation with these words (Mark 12: 32,33)
"… Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Do we have to give offerings today. The answer is yes, but not in the same way that was taught in the Levitical Law. We can give of our riches to support others. 2 Corinthians 7,8 exhorts us to provide for those in need, the Apostles and early church “had all things in common” (Acts 2 & 4) and Paul appreciated the need to help those less fortunate by collecting from those who were able to support others. By helping others we show we follow Christ's commandment to “love one another”.
Yet the need for regular sin offerings has already been paid, in full. Because Jesus loved us so much that he paid that for us. Ephesians 5 has these words
"walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Jesus offered himself as the prefect sacrifice and offering on our behalf. What do we value do we put on that sacrifice?