Shekalim 4:8-9

Shekalim 4:8

If a person consecrates his possessions and they happen to include things suitable for the altar, like wine, oil and birds, Rabbi Elazar says they should be sold to people who need such things for their offerings. The proceeds are used to purchase animals for burnt offerings and the rest of the consecrated property goes towards the upkeep of the Temple.

Shekalim 4:9

Once every 30 days, they would set the price for supplies (wine, oil and flour for sacrifices). If the price rose above what they set, the seller had to honor the original lower price. If the price dropped, the seller must provide it at the new, lower price. In dealing with the Temple, the Temple never loses due to market fluctuations. If the flour became infested or the wine soured, the seller had to eat the loss (financially speaking). The seller is not paid until the supplies he provided are used on the altar.