Leviticus 27

“If anyone wants to vow the value of a person to the service of GOD …” (v2-3).  The Israelites could make a “vow,” a voluntarily promise, to serve God in a unique way for a certain time.  Rather than serving the Temple, they could also give the monetary equivalent of that service, based on their potential work (therefore, the price varied based on age and gender).  The recommended sums were huge, many times a yearly salary, indicating that these vows were long-term, perhaps for life.

In the NT, Paul urges us to dedicate ourselves completely to God as “living sacrifices,” holding nothing back.  The One who loves us counts us as valuable and desires our total commitment.