Leviticus 22:18
“Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;”
When I look at the freewill offering, I’m reminded of my parent’s desire from me. There were things that they told me to do and I would do it, but they desired a willing heart while I was doing it. My parents wanted me to get to the point when I did what they expected of me to do, not because I had to do it, but because it was my will to do it.
One of the offerings that God established for the children of Israel was the freewill offering. The name of this offering properly describes its purpose; it was an offering that truly revealed the heart of those giving it. Certainly, God was pleased that they would be willing to do this, but He still had requirements for this offering if they wanted it to be accepted. Four things that God desires from Christian are revealed in this freewill offering.
First, God desires a willing spirit. A freewill offering is just that; it is the desire of the individual to give something to God. Christian, God desires that your spirit is a willing spirit. There is a huge difference between doing something because you have to do it and doing it because you desire to do it. You will certainly be blessed if you do right even if you are doing it because you have to do it, but you will find greater joy in doing right when you do it because you want to do it. The greatest joy in serving the LORD will be found when you serve God with a willing spirit and with no expectations.
Second, God desires your sacrifice. Verse 19 says, “Ye shall offer at your own will…” I know we often say that you never give anything up to serve the LORD, and that is true, but what have you given up to serve Him? There are going to be times when doing something for the LORD won’t be convenient, but you must be willing to be inconvenienced for God. God loves to see His children’s willingness to give up their pleasures and desires to please Him.
Third, God desires your best. Verse 20 shows us that God didn’t want anything that had a “blemish”; He wanted their best. Likewise, God desires the best from you. This principle is found throughout the Scriptures. Maybe it can be exemplified best in Matthew 6:33 where God says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” If you want to please God, you should give Him the best of your life, effort and possessions. Don’t become the Christian who only gives your leftovers to God.
Fourth, God desires total obedience. Verse 31 says, “Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD.” Always remember that partial obedience is disobedience. God doesn’t want you to only do the part of His commandments that you want to do, but He wants you to obey all of them out of a willing spirit.
Let me ask you, are you giving God what He desires from you? Do you find yourself going to church, serving in your ministry, reading your Bible and praying out of obligation or out of a willing spirit? When the world and its possessions are no longer the focus of your life, it is then that you will find it won’t be difficult to serve the LORD with a free-will spirit.