Topical Bible: Priest: To Have Charge of the Treasury

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In the biblical context, priests held a multifaceted role that extended beyond their primary duties of conducting sacrifices and leading worship. One of the significant responsibilities assigned to certain priests was the management and oversight of the temple treasury. This role was crucial for the maintenance of the temple and the proper functioning of its services.

Biblical Foundation

The role of priests in managing the treasury is rooted in the organizational structure established for the temple services. In 1 Chronicles 9:26, we find a reference to the Levites who were entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the treasuries of the house of God: "But the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and the treasuries of the house of God."

The priests and Levites were responsible for collecting, safeguarding, and distributing the offerings and tithes brought by the Israelites. These contributions were essential for the sustenance of the temple services, the support of the priestly class, and the care for the poor and needy within the community.

Historical Context

During the reign of King David, the organization of the temple services was meticulously planned. David appointed specific Levites to oversee the treasuries, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 26:20: "Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things."

The treasuries contained not only monetary offerings but also valuable items dedicated to the Lord. These included gold, silver, and other precious materials that were used for the maintenance and beautification of the temple.

Priestly Duties and Integrity

The priests' role in managing the treasury required a high level of integrity and trustworthiness. The potential for misuse of funds necessitated a system of accountability and transparency. In 2 Kings 12:15, we see an example of this integrity: "They did not require an accounting from the men who received the money to pay the workers, because they acted with integrity."

The priests were expected to handle the resources with the utmost care, ensuring that the funds were used appropriately for the temple's needs and the community's welfare. This responsibility underscored the spiritual and moral character required of those who served in the temple.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, while the specific role of priests managing the treasury is not highlighted, the principle of stewardship remains significant. The early church continued the practice of collecting offerings for the support of the ministry and the aid of the needy, as seen in Acts 4:34-35: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."

The concept of stewardship, rooted in the Old Testament priestly duties, carried forward into the early Christian community, emphasizing the responsible management of resources for the glory of God and the benefit of His people.

Conclusion

The role of priests in managing the temple treasury highlights the broader responsibilities entrusted to them beyond their liturgical functions. This duty required a combination of spiritual devotion, administrative skill, and ethical conduct, reflecting the holistic nature of their service to God and His people.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 12:10
And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD.
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2 Kings 22:4
Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:
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2 Chronicles 24:6-14
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, Why have you not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
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2 Chronicles 34:9
And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
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Library

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... of priesthood." [2717] "Behold, I have given unto you the charge of the ... Have before
thine eyes the fear of God, and always remember the ten ... reads "priest.". ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... 6:23 (AV) every offering of a priest was ordered to ... [1796] The Priests and Levites
in charge of this ... and these (though necessary) transactions must have left a ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

The Bishop of Hippo
... of the slanders set abroad about Valerius' priest, Megalius seems to ... the bishop Augustin,
that he had charge of souls ... And with all that, he could have wished in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the bishop of hippo.htm

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... men came in with the presents, which the high priest had given ... they should sup with
him; and gave it in charge that they should have excellent lodgings ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

The Life of Cassian.
... together with his friend Germanus, put in charge of the ... of some considerable duration;
and it may have been at this time that he was ordained priest by Innocent ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i the life of.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... a pious learned citizen from the congregation and charge him with ... such matters for
money, and make shameful bargains, every priest should have the power ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

C??sarius of Arles.
... arranged and dignified, should be the charge of the ... His slanderer would have been
stoned, had not C??sarius ... during the siege, that a young priest, a relation ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/caesarius of arles.htm

Mongrel Religion
... Like priest, like people ... What have I to do with him ... him, and when strangers come into
the assembly they spy out these hypocrites, and straightway charge the holy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

The Treasure of Grace
... The high-priest takes the scape-goat, gives it into the ... not a single sin that can
be laid to his charge. ... to test the power of religion when I have been sitting ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the treasure of grace.htm

The Fourth Day in Passion-Week - Jesus in his Last Sabbatic Rest ...
... have seriously believed in the coarse Pharisaic charge of Satanic ... in his bargain
in the High Priest's Palace ... encircling gloom all around, he must have ever seen ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the fourth day.htm