In Exodus 22 God gives the laws of property and social responsibility. As I read this passage it is quite different to hear everything in terms of oxen and field, but I feel like I can really see God's intention in this. God is our father, every person on this planet is his child and like any good father he wants them to be treated fairly. If Johnny on the playground stole your sons lunch it would seem appropriate for him to pay him back for what he stole. God is a loving God but he is also a just God. He has set forth what is right and what is wrong in the world, and what is wrong our father wants to see right. When I read exodus 22 I do not hear a dictator laying down the law that we are to follow or else, but I hear the father who wants to see his children treated fairly.
Ex. 22:29 “You must not hold anything back when you give me offerings from your crops and your wine. “You must give me your firstborn sons."
My boss has a son, and one day he told his son that he needed to give away some of his toys to some kids who needed them more. His son agreed, but then started to pull out all the toys that he didn't play with anymore saying, "they can have these, I don't like them anymore." We often give to God the same way, not wanted to give where we will feel it, but wanted to give the left overs and the forgotten about. God however is not some egomaniac. He is a father teaching his kids how to give. That a real giving heart will give their first, will give there best.
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