Chapter 2
For many years, I was very skeptical about the Church as an organization. I grew up around conflicting teachings—from Jehovah’s Witnesses to Southern Baptists to Presbyterians—and eventually, I became pretty much agnostic. To me, the Church seemed like it only cared about one thing: getting my money.
I saw TV preachers asking for donations in exchange for “healing” cloths. Some even claimed that if people didn’t give, God would take them to heaven—and they meant that as a threat! (To be honest, I prayed God would take them so we could get better programming on TV.)
Needless to say, I was suspicious. Even after I gave my life to Jesus in a small Baptist church, I listened carefully every Sunday when the offering time came, waiting for the “hook.”
Then one Sunday, the preacher said something I never expected. It felt like he was speaking directly to me. He said, “Giving to God is an act of worship and celebration. God doesn’t need your money. We trust God to provide, so we don’t want anything that’s given out of guilt. If you feel anxious or pressured to give, please—keep your money. It won’t help you spiritually. You’ll just be a few dollars poorer. Until you learn to give with joy—keep your money.”
I was stunned. He had just read my heart out loud from the pulpit. And then he did something even more surprising. As the ushers walked down the aisles with the offering plates, he said, “By the way, if anyone is in need, please feel free to take from the plate as it passes. God wants you to know that He loves you and is here for you.”
I nearly fell out of my seat. When the plate came to me, I looked down and saw the offerings others had placed inside. I passed it along without giving. I didn’t feel judged or guilty—but I did feel something. That day, the sermon faded from my mind, but the preacher’s words about giving stayed with me. This church had no hidden agenda. Only grace. Only room for me to search my own heart.
That moment changed how I see giving. Now, over 30 years later, every time an offering is taken, I remember the gift Jesus gave me—and how that preacher gave me the space to discover joyful giving on my own.
This brings us to the grain offering in Leviticus chapter 2. This offering is all about giving from our work, and giving with a thankful heart. It was a voluntary offering—just like Jesus’ gift to us. As we look at this offering, I’ll point out some of the beautiful ways it reflects Jesus. His shadow is all over this offering and the offerings to come. Everywhere we look in the Levitical teachings we will find Jesus.
All these acts and duties were signs for hundreds of years that pointed toward him, his coming, his death, and our hope. It’s really very cool!!
The Gain Offering
1 ” ‘When anyone brings [offers, voluntarily gives] a grain offering to the LORD, their offering is to be of the finest flour. They are to pour olive oil [symbol of the Holy Spirit] on it, put incense [symbol of prayer] on it 2 and take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn [fire often represents judgment, but not just the negative side, for judgement also purifies. Burning can also represent God presence, and holiness. i.e. the burning bush. Judgement is often a result of being in the holiness of God.] this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. 3 The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the LORD.
4 ” ‘If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to consist of the finest flour: either thick loaves made without yeast [yeast represents sin, worldliness, the flesh] and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with olive oil. 5 If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. 6 Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. 7 If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it is to be made of the finest flour and some olive oil. 8 Bring the grain offering made of these things to the LORD; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar. 9 He shall take out the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. 10 The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the LORD.
11 ” ‘Every grain offering you bring to the LORD must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey [honey artificially sweetens the bread. God doesn’t want “show”, he wants us as we are.] in a food offering presented to the LORD. 12 You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of the firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. 13 Season all your grain offerings with salt.[salt draws out the “real”. It preserves, cures, purifies and sustains.] Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.
14 ” ‘If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. 15 Put oil and incense on it; it is a grain offering. 16 The priest shall burn the memorial portion of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense, as a food offering presented to the LORD.
