An excerpt from Against Heresies by St. Irenaeus, Book III, Chapter 21

“With God there is nothing without purpose, nothing without its meaning and reason. Thus the people of Israel used to dedicate tithes of their possessions. But those who have been given freedom devote what they possess to the Lord’s use. They give it all to him, not simply what is of lesser value, cheerfully and freely because they hope for greater things, like the poor widow who put into God’s treasury her whole livelihood. The Church alone offers this pure oblation to the Creator when it makes its offering to him from his creation, with thanksgiving.”

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