God’s Story... For My Life
Generous Giving
Read 2 Chronicles 31:1-21
In addition, he required the people in Jerusalem to bring a portion of their goods to the priests and Levites, so they could devote themselves fully to the Law of the Lord.
When the people of Israel heard these requirements, they responded generously by bringing the first share of their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a large quantity—a tithe of all they produced. The people who had moved to Judah from Israel, and the people of Judah themselves, brought in the tithes of their cattle, sheep, and goats and a tithe of the things that had been dedicated to the Lord their God, and they piled them up in great heaps. They began piling them up in late spring, and the heaps continued to grow until early autumn. When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw these huge piles, they thanked the Lord and his people Israel!
In this way, King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God. In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.
(2 Chronicles 31:4-8, 20-21)
Reflect
Hezekiah reinstated the practice of tithing—giving a tenth of one’s income to the priests and Levites so they could be free to serve God and minister to the people. The people responded immediately and generously.
Because Hezekiah did “what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God” (31:20), he led the people of Judah in spiritual renewal. His actions serve as a model of renewal for us: (1) he remembered God’s compassion (30:9); (2) he kept going despite ridicule (30:10); (3) he aggressively removed evil influences from his life (30:14; 31:1); (4) he interceded for the people, asking for the Lord’s pardon (30:15-20); (5) he was open to spontaneity in worship (30:23); (6) he contributed generously to God’s work (31:3). If any of these are lacking in your life, consider how they might apply, and renew your commitment to God.
Respond
God’s work needs the support of God’s people. Does God receive a regular percentage of your income? Generosity makes our giving delightful to us and to God (2 Corinthians 8–9). How different the church would be today if all believers consistently followed this pattern.