“Each chest was for a different object, indicated by an inscription in the Hebrew tongue. The first was inscribed: New shekels; that is, shekels set apart for the expenses of the current year. The second: Old shekels; that is, shekels dedicated to the expenses of the previous year. Third: Turtle doves and young pigeons; the money placed in this chest was the price to be paid by those who had to offer two turtle doves or two young pigeons, the one as a burnt offering, the other as a sacrifice for sin. Above the fourth chest was written: Burnt offerings; this money covered the expense of the other burnt offerings. The fifth had the inscription: Wood, and held the gifts of the faithful for the purchase of wood for the altar. The sixth: Incense (money for buying incense). The seventh: For the sanctuary (money for the mercy-seat). The six remaining chests bore the inscription: Freewill offerings.”

The people were also required by the Law to make various offerings on their own behalf. Some were for sins committed, others for ceremonial reasons, and still others out of their devotion and thanksgiving. The boxes marked “Turtle doves and young pigeons” and “Burnt offerings” would be for such purposes. “Into Trumpet III,” says the book The Temple, Its Ministry and Services, “those women who had to bring turtledoves for a burnt- and a sin-offering dropped their equivalent in money, which was daily taken out and a corresponding number of turtledoves offered.” Likely this was what the parents of the infant Jesus did.​—See Luke 2:22-24; Leviticus 12:6-8.