Leviticus (p. 151) “If, however, they are poor and cannot afford these they must take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for them, together with a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, a log of oil, and two doves or two young pigeons, such as they can afford, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. (Books)
The Books of The Bible, NIV
The Levitical system of worship is not a system that is rigged against the poor. Provision is made for the fact that a poor family may not be able to afford to give as much in their offering as a wealthy landowner or one with a large successful farming business.
By Jesus’ time the system had become corrupted taking advantage of the poor: designed to rip them off and make the religious elite, those who ruled the Temple (i.e. those who made the rules) richer. Surely this breaks the heart of God. No wonder Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers and raised such a stink in the court of the Gentiles. We cannot guilt trip the poor, we cannot use religion to manipulate them (especially to our fiscal benefit). We must make allowance for them to participate in our religious gatherings (ekklesia) as full members. We must welcome into our fellowship those who have nothing to contribute.
God save me from a religious spirit. Lord Jesus, keep me from an attitude of religious privilege. Humility is the way of greatness in the kingdom of God. Holy Spirit may I love like He loved. Change my heart O God…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen