TEXT : 2Ch 31:4  Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. 2Ch 31:5  And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, a nd of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 2Ch 31:6  And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps. 2Ch 31:7  In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 2Ch 31:8  And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. 2Ch 31:9  Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 2Ch 31:10  And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

 

THEME : TITHING

 

Jotham, the son of Uzziah is a r ighteous and honorable king. The Scriptures tell us that he followed his father's example in dong what is right before God, but did not trespass as his father Uzziah when he entered the Temple and usurped the authority of the priests. "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly." 2Ch 27:2 

 

However, even his godly and righteous rule did not affect the people of God for the better. They continued in their ungodliness and rebellion against the LORD. We see similarities in the life of Moses. Although Moses serves God will all the heart, soul, mind, and spirit, the people do not follow his example. Rather, they rebel against God continually and eventually are severely judged by the LORD. This shows us that godly leadership does not always produce godly people. As godly parents are not an absolute guarantee of godly children, neither are godly leaders in the Church. Ultimately, everyone makes up their own minds as to whom they will follow, and what they will do. Everyone is responsible for th eir own behavior.

 

Many believe there is a direct correlation between godly leadership or parenting etc. and righteous people or children. However, the Scriptures teach otherwise. Even in the midst of horrendous judgments, people [can] refuse to change as we read in Revelation.

 

Rev_2:21  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

 

Rev_9:20  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

 

Rev_9:21  Neithe r repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

 

Rev_16:9  And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

 

Rev_16:11  And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

 

When Ahaz ascends to the throne of his father Jotham, things take a turn for the worse. This lends credibility to the fact that godly fathers may not have godly children. Ahaz is so wicked he introduces a practice to the people of Judah that  is a type of the eternal punishment we are warned of by our LORD. The sacrificing of [God's] children in the valley of Hinnom was so heinous, Jeremiah called it the "valley o f slaughter." Hinnom [Hebrew] is Ghenna [Greek] that Jesus used to illustrate the fires of Hell.

 

2Ch 28:3  Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

 

Jer 7:31  And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. Jer 7:32  Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

 

Mat_23:33  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

 

"The word most frequently used, (occurring twelve times), in the New Testament for the place of future punishment is Gehenna or Gehenna of fire. This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their destruction." [Smith's Bible Dictionary]

 

So horrible were the tears and wailing of little children who were offered to the gods [demons] of the nations, that the LORD pronounced a judgment of incredible severity[1]. Judah will be brought into captivity for seventy years by the Babylonians, and the Temple would be destroyed. Such is the nature of man - to rebel against God and His commands, and such is the righteousness of the LORD & #8211; to bring judgment on those who follow after wickedness. Ahaz added sin to sin by destroying the vessels of the Temple, locking the doors, and openly worshipping the gods of the nations. The Temple and the priesthood as well as the people of Judah suffered greatly under his rule, as Judah is attacked and plundered by the Edomites and Philistines without receiving any help from the Assyrians.

 

When Hezekiah takes the throne, there is a reformation as he does not follow the evil path of his father. He restores the vessels of the Temple, and revives the priesthood by working with the Levites to refurbish the House of God. Further, he reestablishes the giving of the tithe for the support of the Levites and the Temple. Then, he institutes a Passover in which he even invites the northern tribes of Israel. So great was the largesse of Hezekiah's heart that he issues this proclamation to Judah and invitation to Israel. Yet, he is mocked by most of his brethren to the north [Israel] though some come to Jerusalem, while Judah has one heart to keep the Passover. Hence, there was great joy and celebration as they delighted in the Passover together. This was something that had not been done in many years.

 

2Ch 30:25  And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. 2Ch 30:26  So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. 2Ch 30:27  Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "THE PURPOSE OF TITHING IS THE SUPPORT OF THE WORD OF GOD!"

 

Hezekiah, unlike his father Ahaz, was wholly dedicated to the LORD. Moreover, he not only issued [one] proclamation concerning the Passover, but he commanded the people to give the tithe [i.e. literally - "a tenth"] of their substance to the Levites as the Law required. However, this was done specifically that the people of Judah would be taught and learn the Word of God that included Temple worship and the offering of the daily sacrifices etc. 

 

2Ch 31:4  Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

 

There is no question that our money, or more accurately - the giving of our money, is directly related to our estimation, assessment, appraisal, and valuation of the Bible. This is so because it requires faith in the Word of God to give the tithe and offerings. That is, when we give our finances, we offer proof of our profession of believing on the LORD Jesus Christ, or it betrays our unbelief. Money is the god of this world. Without money we do not have any means for food, shelter, clothing, and any other amenities or luxuries we may have in the world. However, Jesus was emphatic - we cannot serve money, as though it were a god. In fact, covetousness is equal to the idolatry we are reading about in the Old Testament although not as severe as Ahaz and his offerings in the Valley of Hinnom. Still, God has not changed, and His Word is the same in both Testaments. That is, all Scripture is truth.

Mat_6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or e lse he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [Mammon - of Chaldee origin (confidence, that is, figuratively wealth, personified); mammonas, that is, avarice (deified) {Strong}; riches (where it is personified and opposed to God) {Thayer}]

 

It is interesting to observe the origin of mammon [money] is "confidence" because that is exactly how money makes us feel; that is - secure. Moreover, when the people of God feel safe and sheltered because of their wealth, they have a tendency to stray from God. There is a [false] perception that God is not needed. On the other hand, if leaving or distancing oneself from the LORD is as radical as just described, then God is relegated to a position in your life where He is not first, foremost, and primary. This is when perfunctory prayers are offered, "Biblespeak" instead of obedience is extensive, and serving God is minimal to nonexistent. In short, idolatry takes the place of the One True God. Therefore, His will to bless is relinquished since many of God's promises are "if" and "then." For instance, look at Malachi's word s in chapter three.

 

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. Mal 3:8 - 11 

 

Notice the blessing versus the curse in these verses of Malachi. Not giving the tithe is tantamount  to stealing [from God]. However, when God is obeyed, the blessing is promised. Certainly anyone who has obeyed God in anything or anyway has experienced the fulfilment of His promises. It does not matter what the commandment is. When God is obeyed, you are truly secure! There is no security in this world or the next except in the One who delivers, protects, heals, and holds life or death in the power of His own Hands.

 

Concerning an inordinate attachment to money being the same as Old Testament idolatry, the apostle Paul writes.

 

Col_3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: [Italics and highlighting mine]

 

Heb_13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. [Italics and highlighting mine]

 

Some oppose the idea of tithing under the New Covenant. To this, we may agree, if we substitute ten percent of our income to one hundred.

 

Act 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Act 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Act 4:34  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, Act 4:35  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

 

Interestingly, the surplus in the New Testament Church is identical to what happened in Hezekiah's time. We see this in the "heaps" the Levites possessed.

 

2Ch 31:6  And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps. 2Ch 31:9  Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 2Ch 31:10  And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

 

When Hezekiah initiated his reformation, the giving of the tithe and offerings were necessary to sustain that reformation. Further, as already mentioned, it showed a direct connection and relationship with the people's valuation of the Word of God, and therefore, with God Himself.

 

In these evil days in which we live, give yourself to full dedication to the LORD. For we may have many physical buildings that we call "The Church," but in reality WE are the Church. It is His people God is building.  Therefore, let us support the Word of God by reading, obeying, and giving our finances. We need a reformation more now than in the 16th century. We need dedicated teachers and preachers who will lock themselves away to study the Word of God and teach the people. May God grant us one as we prove He is first in  our lives in the giving of our time, talents, and money.

 

Jer 19:9  And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them. Jer 19:10  Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee, Jer 19:11  And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury. Jer 19:12  Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet: Jer 19:13  And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods. Jer 19:14  Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD'S house; and said to all the people,

 

Jer 19:15  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.