The concept of freewill offerings is pretty well established in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, these could be either monetary or sacrificial offerings which were presented above and beyond the required tithe and animals sacrifices for atonement. Whether it was sacrificing another animal to God out of devotion, or kicking in money and materials for the building of a place for God’s glory to dwell, it is evident that, from time to time, God’s people would give just because they wanted to give. It started in their heart . . . it manifested itself in their actions . . . it depleted their store of treasures.

As I looked up the Hebrew meaning behind the term “freewill offering”, in addition to idea of it being voluntary, according to Strong’s, it also has the idea of spontaneity . . . of being a “spontaneous abundant gift.” Now, I don’t consider myself a particularly spontaneous person . . . I think I’m more calculated and planned out . . . head first, not heart first . . . “ready, aim, fire” rather than “fire, ready, aim”. But, I’ll be honest, there is something about spontaneity that I find attractive . . . something about people who “just do it” that I admire . . . something about “going for it” without “over thinking it” that I sometimes wish were more a part of me. This morning, as I came across a little different twist on the freewill offering in Psalm 119, that longing to be more spontaneous grips me again . . .

“Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord . . . ” (Psalm 119:108a)

Here the freewill offering, the “spontaneous abundant gift”, comes not from the bank account . . . doesn’t involve the giving of livestock . . . but is sourced from within a person and delivered via “my mouth.” That it is an offering of praise seems apparent. That it is offered in order to be pleasing to God is clear. That it transcends the Old Testament economy is attested to by the writer to the Hebrews, “Therefore by [Jesus] let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

I love being around people who are always saying, “Praise the Lord” . . or, “Praise God” . . . and really seem to mean it. They are spontaneously presenting freewill offerings on the altar of heaven. Continually, says the Hebrews writer, we should offering the sacrifice of praise . . . the Spirit of God impressing upon us the goodness and faithfulness of God and then prompting us to declare the praises of God. When that happens, we should do it!

Oh, what a privilege to praise and worship. What a high and holy calling to bless the God of heaven. What a thought to think that something that comes from this heart through this mouth could bring my God such pleasure. Why am I not “freewill offering” more often?

If my “freewill offering” is limited to 25 minutes on a Sunday morning, isn’t something amiss? If I’m not finding sending up “p-rockets” (praise-rockets . . . ???? . . . whatever) on a regular basis, why not? Spontaneous . . . abundant . . . with no coercion . . . not forced by some discipline . . . but offered up freely from a heart wanting to give something to the Giver of all things . . . believing that the fruit of my lips is desired by the God of heaven.

O to be a freewill offerer . . . to give abundantly from the storeroom of a heart packed with thanksgiving, praise, and worship. Firing off words of adoration . . . words of appreciation . . . words of exaltation. Sometimes musically . . . other times meditatively . . . could be in a whisper . . . could be in a shout . . . offered up be when I’m gathered together with God’s people . . . or set upon the altar when I’m in my “alone place” with God.

You are worthy of the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord . . . may they be pleasing to Your ear . . . amen!

“Come Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me, Lord, some rapturous measure, Meet for blood-bought hosts above; While I sing the countless treasure of my God’s unchanging love!”