This chapter recounts some of King Jehoash’s acts, such as repairing the temple of the Lord.
“Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar… And whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest… they bagged and counted the money… And they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the house of the Lord, and to the masons and the stonecutters, as well as to buy timber and quarried stone for making repairs on the house of the Lord…” (v9-14 abr)
Jehoash commanded the priests to collect money for repairing the house of the Lord. Their creative solution was a donations box in a high-traffic area. These donations were paid to tradespeople and vendors for upkeep of the temple and grounds. Regular tithes were also collected for the priests as a salary for their service.
There are two main types of financial giving – tithing (the basic ‘10%’) and gifts of compassion.
Tithing is regularly giving a portion of our income to the Lord’s work. There are several applicable passages dating all the way back to Abraham (see Gen 14:19-20). I put ‘10%’ in quotation marks because it’s a good guideline, however we should prayerfully give as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Additionally, what I like to call ‘compassionate giving’ or ‘gifts of compassion’ are something we give above a regular tithe. This type of giving is often in response to a request for help, or in recognition of a need. For example, the church building needs repairs, or perhaps someone is in need of groceries.
Though it’s important for Christ followers to give of our time and energy for His service, we should never overlook financial giving. If the Holy Spirit moves us, we honor God by returning some of our entrusted resources to His service. When we do so joyfully and without misgivings, we will be blessed with even more joy (and often more resources to give away). I try to prayerfully reassess my giving a few times each year, and I encourage you to do the same.
Father God, our Benevolent and Generous Lord, You have given us so much, including the gift of eternal life. Father may we in return offer what resources we have for Your service. Holy Spirit please guide us in our daily walk, keeping our hearts open to any opportunities for sharing Your love with others. Father, may we glorify You with our generosity and gifts of compassion, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training