Repairing God's House Series

What was wrong? The people were being taxed and the Levites depended on the most of that income for their own upkeep and subsistence. So Joash made some changes to way things were being done.

2 Chronicles 24:8–9 (NKJV) Then at the king’s command they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of the LORD. 9 And they made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God had imposed on Israel in the wilderness.

As we will see, with the box, all funds received went to the restoration of the temple. The people were now free to give offerings to the work. They were no longer force to pay a tax, with no say as to where and how the funds are spent. They knew all that was given will go into the repairs of the temple. That leads us to point number 2.

2. The people gladly gave with joy. The people gladly gave and there was more than enough money to do what needed to be done.

2 Chronicles 24:10 (NKJV) Then all the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought their contributions, and put them into the chest until all had given.

An important thing to notice here, it was not just the people who gave, but their leaders as well. Ellen and I are joyfully contributing to the repairs at Rosemont. This is our church too, and we want this place to shine for the glory of God in this community. Cheerfully giving is an important NT concept. Paul writes about greefully giving:

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (NKJV) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Now listen closely. This is extremely important. With this renovation campaign, we are not compelling anyone to give. Any pledges made and any gift given for this project, must be done cheerfully and with rejoicing. We are not asking anyone to give or make a pledge if it cannot be made joyfully. Also all gifts must be beyond what is normally given, above your normal tithes and offerings, because we still have our regular ministries to perform, the normal electric and gas bills and salaries to pay.

But one thing I can attest to. You cannot out give God. God blesses sacrificial giving, especially that giving that is done joyfully and in love. Even Paul when he was asking the church at Corinth to give to help the poor saints in Jerusalem, He mentioned the poor churches in Macedonia that were asking for the opportunity to give:

2 Corinthians 8:3–4 (NKJV) For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

These poor churches in Macedonia was asking for the opportunity to give. They wanted to give. So Paul asked the church at Corinth, he did not command them to give.

2 Corinthians 8:8 (NKJV) I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.