How does 2 Chronicles 34:10 demonstrate faithful stewardship of God's resources today? Restoring What Belongs to God 2 Chronicles 34:10: “They handed it over to the supervisors of the work appointed to the LORD’s temple, who in turn paid the workers to restore and repair the temple.” What We See in Josiah’s Day • Funds collected from the people were not hoarded; they were immediately placed into trustworthy hands. • Supervisors were appointed—people of skill and integrity. • Workers were paid fairly to carry out the temple’s restoration. • The ultimate goal was the renewal of God’s house, not personal enrichment. Timeless Principles of Stewardship 1. Ownership: Everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). Josiah understood the money was the LORD’s, not the crown’s. 2. Accountability: Specific men were made responsible. Faithful stewardship always assigns clear oversight (1 Corinthians 4:2). 3. Transparency: Money moved openly from collection to supervisors to workers—no hidden agenda (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). 4. Purposeful Spending: Resources were deployed for kingdom objectives, not frivolities (Matthew 6:33). 5. Fair Compensation: Workers received their due (Luke 10:7), reflecting God’s concern for laborers. Applying It Today • Budget with God’s priorities first: church, missions, relief of the poor—then personal concerns (Proverbs 3:9-10). • Choose leaders who model integrity; demand open books and regular reporting. • Give generously and promptly, trusting God to multiply the impact (Malachi 3:10). • Invest in people—pay fairly, train, and encourage those who serve in ministry (1 Timothy 5:18). • Maintain facilities that facilitate worship and outreach, seeing buildings as tools, not trophies. Living the Lesson Faithful stewardship means handling God-given resources with the same diligence Josiah’s supervisors showed: recognizing divine ownership, acting with integrity, and aiming every dollar at the advancement of His kingdom. |
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