“Do not appear
Before the Lord
Empty-handed!
All that you offer
Is a fulfillment of the commandments.
The offering of a righteous person
Enriches the altar.
Its pleasing odor
Rises before the Most High.
The sacrifice of the righteous
Is acceptable.
It will never be forgotten.
Be generous
When you worship the Lord!
Do not stint
The first fruits of your hands!
With every gift
Show a cheerful face!
Dedicate your tithe
With gladness!
Give to the Most High
As he has given to you!
Be as generous
As you can afford!”
Sirach wanted every Temple sacrificial offering to be generous. You should never appear before the Lord empty-handed. You should fulfill the commandments. Your offering should enrich the altar with a pleasing odor that reaches to the Most High God. The acceptable sacrifices of the righteous will never be forgotten. Thus, you should be generous when you worship the Lord. You should not be stingy with your offering of the first fruits. Every tithe gift that you bring should be with a cheerful glad face. Remember that you are giving to the Most High God as he has given to you. You should be as generous as you can afford to be.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 