Nehemiah 12:44-47 – Stewardship of giving

Nehemiah 12:44-47 describes how the collection of offerings and tithes was handled by the leadership of the returned exiles. Men were appointed to supervise the collection and distribution of the money that was brought to the temple. Apparently, every Jew gave a tenth of their income toward a central pool. Then this was divided among the Levites, who assisted the priest, in the administration of the musicians and singers in their service to God in the temple.  The Levites were expected to give one-tenth of what they were  apportioned to support the priests.

Verse 44 said that the people rejoiced in the work of the priests and Levites. For these were responsible to perform “…the worship of their God and the service of purification, together with the singers and the gatekeepers in accordance with the command of David and of his son Solomon. Since the day of David leaders of the singers, songs of praise, and hymns of thanksgiving to God were appointed."  So verse 47 said the people carried out this responsibility. The verse says, “So all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah gave the portions due the singers and the gatekeepers as each day required, and set apart the consecrated portion for the Levites, and the Levites set apart the consecrated portion for the sons of Aaron.”

The lesson: finance is required and needed for every aspect of God’s work. Hence handling finance is an important aspect of ministry. Admit it or not, this aspect has been widely abused. Information on how to finance had been abused makes it important to know God’s instruction on handling this needful resource. Money is amoral. While we need it for ministry, it has become a temptation and a stumbling block for many. It can be a blessing or a curse depending on how one steward what God has entrusted to us. We all need to know that all that we have and possess come from God. He is the owner of all the resources we have in life. All of us are merely stewards. It is required that stewards of God be found faithful. In handling finance, we must remember to factor God in and be faithful in our tithe and offering so that ministry will not suffer want and God will not be dishonored.