Compare the collection process in 2 Chronicles 24:11 with New Testament giving practices. The Chest in Joash’s Day (2 Chronicles 24:11) “Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites to the king’s officials, and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal scribe and the chief priest’s officer would come and empty the chest, then pick it up and return it to its place. They did this daily and collected a great amount of money.” Hallmarks of the Old-Testament Collection • Centralized chest placed at the temple gate • Freewill offerings from “all Judah and Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 24:10) • Levites transported the chest; a royal scribe and priestly officer provided joint oversight • Chest emptied “daily,” ensuring prompt accounting • Funds earmarked exclusively for repairing the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 24:12–13) • Transparency and diligence produced generous participation and “great amount” of resources New-Testament Snapshots of Giving • 1 Corinthians 16:1-2—weekly, deliberate setting aside: “On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income…” • 2 Corinthians 8:3-5—voluntary and sacrificial: “They gave according to their ability and even beyond it… they gave themselves first to the Lord…” • 2 Corinthians 9:7—heart-level cheerfulness: “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” • Acts 4:34-35—needs-driven distribution: believers “laid [gifts] at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.” • Luke 21:1-4—widow’s mite commended for wholehearted devotion • Matthew 6:3-4—secrecy before men, reward from the Father • Philippians 4:18—support for gospel workers called “a fragrant offering… pleasing to God.” Similar Threads Running Through Both Testaments • Giving centers on God’s work—whether temple restoration or gospel advance • Collective participation: whole community invited to contribute • Clear oversight safeguards integrity (Levites/scribe/priest; apostles/elders) • Regularity: daily collections in Joash’s day; weekly setting aside in the church • Joyful generosity produces abundance for ministry needs Distinctive New-Covenant Emphases • Motive moves to the forefront—“cheerful,” “heart”-decided giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) • Proportionate and income-based, not fixed percentages (1 Colossians 16:2) • Spirit-led voluntariness replaces royal or priestly proclamation (2 Corinthians 8:3-4) • Broader purposes: caring for saints, supporting missions, relieving the poor (Romans 15:25-27; Philippians 4:15-18) • Secrecy encouraged to guard against hypocrisy (Matthew 6:3-4) • The physical temple yields to the living temple—believers themselves (1 Peter 2:5) Practical Takeaways for Today’s Believer • Set aside a regular portion of income for the Lord’s work, following 1 Corinthians 16:2 • Give willingly and joyfully, trusting God to supply every need (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) • Support the maintenance of the local gathering place, plus benevolence and missions, echoing both temple repair and apostolic distribution • Insist on transparent handling of funds—dual oversight, clear reporting, and accountability reflect both Joash’s chest and apostolic practice • Let giving spring from worship: “They gave themselves first to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5) • Remember that even small offerings, when offered wholeheartedly like the widow’s, delight the Lord and advance His kingdom |
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