Holy Day Offerings

The LORD God’s spring feasts are here! The first spring holy day where an offering is taken up was on the FIRST DAY OF THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ── which was April 13th, 2025.

Now, there is a related factor that we all should consider ── a natural law that is also spiritual. This law is spoken of several different times and in many different ways throughout God’s living word ── e.g., 2nd Corinthians 9:6 ── “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Also, another example: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7.

And the Apostle Paul speaking in a manner that nearly everyone can understand ── if a farmer plants a sparse crop, he will surely reap but a little product. But, if the farmer plants a large and bountiful crop, his field will produce a greater amount. A basic concept of logic. Of course, a farmer realizes contributing factors in raising a crop that will determine the size, the quantity, and overall condition. The type of seed, weather, soil, and the presence or absence of harmful pests or bacteria. Mother Nature ── and by Mother Nature I mean, the LORD God (Matthew 5:45) ── determines the weather. If there will be rain in due season. 

Let us notice the LORD God’s spiritual application to sowing sparingly or bountifully. As the Apostle Paul explains here ──

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7) So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8) Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive HIS OWN REWARD according to his own labor.” – 1 Corinthians 3:5-8.  

Notice that it is God who gives each one a REWARD “according to his own labor.”

Truly, the Apostle Paul uses a concept that nearly everyone can understand. That when it comes to offerings, a person should be as generous as financially possible ── the following are some examples ── 

“And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28) Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. …”

Now, a step back in history ── several famines occurred during the reign of Caesar Claudius (AD 41 to 54), all throughout different parts of the Roman Empire, but there was not a famine throughout the entire world ── here it was throughout Judea. According to Flavius Josephus ──

According to Flavius Josephus (Antiquities XX 2§5 and 5§2), a “great famine” took place in Judea while Cuspius Fadus (the 1st procurator of Judaea Province in 44–46) and Tiberius Alexander (the 2nd procurator of Judea in 46 – 48) lawyered Judea under Emperor Claudius. This “great famine” is without doubt the one referred to here by the prophet Agabus. 

“ … 29) Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30) This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” – Acts 11:28-30; see also Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.

As a result of Agabus’s prophecy, the believers in Antioch began to gather money to send to the Christians living in Judea, and they sent the money by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. This monetary gift was a fitting response because, as in the days of Emperor Claudius, there was great famine throughout Judea.

This loving principle of giving has to do with our relationship with others, especially with our brethren throughout the world. And this giving must be per the ability of our resources and finances ── or as the LORD God has blessed us. 

“Here is my considered opinion on the matter. What I ask you to do is in your own interests. You made a good beginning last year both in the work you did and in your willingness to undertake it: be as eager to complete the scheme as you were to adopt it, and give according to your means. Provided there is an eager desire to give, God accepts what a man has: he does not ask for what he has not. There is no question of relieving others [both in resources and or financially] at the cost of hardship to yourselves; …” – 2 Corinthians 8:10-13, NEB. 

Another important principle in giving is the attitude of the giver ── 

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7.

The Greek word for “cheerful” is hilaros, meaning “cheerful, without grudging, with an implication of a gracious attitude.” 

The great blessings of giving (either in ability or resources, or finance) in a right attitude of heart are spoken by the Apostle Paul in the following verses ── 

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9) As it is written:

‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’

10) Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11) while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8-11.

Let us take a look at another Scripture that should put all of this in perspective. This certainly is a passage that we ought to keep in mind as we prepare for Holy Day offerings ──

“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption [will reap death], but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:6-10.

Please do not be deceived. Do not be ‘lukewarm.’ ‘Let him who is taught the living word of God share in all good things with him who teaches’ ── which includes offerings on the LORD God’s holy days. Financial offerings are one way you can share in all good things, especially to those who are of the household of faith. To donate or give a free-will offering to this online ministry, please visit our  DONATE PAGE.

As far as when the LORD God’s holy days are ── here is a link to our Holy Day Information.