Voluntary
The Meaning of Voluntary in Scripture
The word "voluntary" appears in the Bible in connection with offerings and worship, translating a Hebrew concept that emphasizes willing, spontaneous generosity rather than obligatory duty. While the Mosaic law prescribed many required sacrifices and offerings, the voluntary or freewill offering held a special place in Israelite worship because it expressed the giver's heart — a desire to honor God beyond what was strictly required.
The Freewill Offering
The voluntary offering, more commonly called the "freewill offering," is described in Leviticus 7:16 and Ezekiel 46:12. Unlike the sin offering or guilt offering, which were mandatory responses to specific transgressions, the freewill offering was entirely at the worshiper's discretion. A person might bring a freewill offering in response to an answered prayer, in gratitude for a blessing, or simply out of love for God. The offering could be from the herd or flock, and while it followed certain sacrificial procedures, its defining characteristic was the voluntary heart behind it (Leviticus 22:18-23).
Willing Hearts in the Tabernacle Construction
One of the most striking examples of voluntary giving in the Old Testament occurred during the construction of the tabernacle. Moses called on the people to bring materials for the project, and the response was overwhelming. Exodus 35:21 records that "everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him" brought offerings of gold, silver, bronze, fabric, and precious stones. The giving was so abundant that Moses eventually had to restrain the people from bringing more (Exodus 36:6-7). This narrative powerfully illustrates that God desires willing hearts rather than reluctant compliance.
David's Temple Preparations
David modeled the same principle when he gathered materials for the temple his son Solomon would build. After making his own generous contribution, David asked, "Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD?" (1 Chronicles 29:5). The leaders and people responded with joyful generosity, and David prayed, "I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things" (1 Chronicles 29:17). The voluntary nature of the giving was what made it pleasing to God.
The New Testament Principle
The principle of voluntary giving carries directly into the New Testament. Paul taught the Corinthian church that each person should give "as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). This echoes the Old Testament freewill offering perfectly. The ultimate model of voluntary self-giving is Christ himself, who laid down his life willingly: "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:18).
Beyond Material Offerings
The biblical concept of voluntary action extends beyond material gifts to encompass all of life. Paul urged the Romans to offer their bodies as "living sacrifices" — an act of voluntary worship (Romans 12:1). True obedience, true worship, and true generosity all share this quality of willing devotion rather than forced obligation. God has always valued the heart behind the gift more than the gift itself.
Biblical Context
Voluntary offerings appear in Leviticus 7:16, Leviticus 22:18-23, and Ezekiel 46:12 within the sacrificial system. The principle of willing giving is demonstrated in the tabernacle construction (Exodus 35:21; 36:6-7) and David's temple preparations (1 Chronicles 29:5, 17). Paul applies the same concept in 2 Corinthians 9:7 and Romans 12:1.
Theological Significance
The concept of voluntary giving reveals that God values the heart attitude behind worship more than the external act itself. Required sacrifices addressed sin and obligation, but voluntary offerings expressed love and gratitude. This principle reaches its fullest expression in Christ's voluntary sacrifice on the cross, where the Son of God laid down his life of his own will for the salvation of the world.
Historical Background
In ancient Near Eastern religion, offerings to deities were often understood as obligations or payments to secure divine favor. The Israelite concept of the freewill offering was distinctive in emphasizing the worshiper's willing heart as the essential element. Archaeological evidence from Israelite worship sites confirms the practice of various types of offerings, and administrative texts from the Second Temple period document the careful distinction between required and voluntary contributions.