Which is greater?

"Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? [...] Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?" Matthew 23.17-19

Tithes and offerings carry a revelation in itself: what is in the offering giver's heart.
Firstfruits show faithfulness and offerings reveal love.
While there was no sin in the world, tithes and offerings were not necessary, since the communion between the creature and the Creator was perfect. With sin came the moral and spiritual corruption. Therefore, God established the tithe and offerings to prove the heart of those who approached Him.

Our all in exchange for His fullness

"...to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3.19

The Lord Jesus promised His faithful followers the fullness of His Spirit. Have you ever imagined yourself being filled with the Holy Spirit just as the Lord Jesus was?
Yes...
But for this to happen, He also demands your all.
It is your all in exchange for His fullness.

OFFERING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

"He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord and offering of righteousness." Malachi 3:3

He who teaches how to offer sacrifices to God is teaching an act of faith that pleases God. Sacrifice strengthens the communion between the creation and the Creator. Abel was justified and approved because of the sacrifice he presented to the Lord. 

Gold

Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies[a] the gold? Mathew 23.17

The Lord asked the hypocrites but why?

Because they considered the offering more important than the Altar, which was the one that sanctified it. Unfortunately, this has been the attitude of many spiritually weak and sick Christian... in fact, some have even died. They were more attentive to what they left on the Altar than Who was receiving their offerings.

Much Joy

"Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy..." Psalms 43:4

The Altar is a place of offering of sacrifices and also a place to receive the Spirit of Joy, much joy!

First Fruits Day

"O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water."

Psalms 63:1

As the first day of the week, today is the day of the first fruits to God. It's the day that the family dedicates to the Lord, to offer a living offering before Him in order to drink of the Living Waters and have their thirst met and life protected for the rest of their week.

Fire

"And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings."

Leviticus 6:12

White there's sacrifice on the Altar, there's the Fire of the Holy Spirit consuming it... but when there's lack of sacrifice, what can be consumed?

PREPARING THE WAY

"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

Psalm 50:23

Those who obey the Lord's commandments are sowing life to reap eternal salvation.

SILVER AND GOLD

"Then I said to them, "You are holy to the LORD, and the utensils are holy; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the LORD God of your fathers." Ezra 8:28

The reverence to the Lord and the demonstration of love through volunteer offerings towards the building of the Temple have been moving God's hands in favor of those who believe and trust Him.