2 Chronicles 31:11-21 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

Systematic Church finance.

Hezekiah was careful to provide for the distribution of the firstfruits and tithes and special offerings among the priests and Levites. So he had cells, or chambers, constructed for their reception ( 2 Chronicles 31:11 ), and every needful arrangement made for the due apportionment of all that was stored among those for whom it was intended. There are three points worthy of consideration,

I. THE DISTINCTLY SACRED CHARACTER OF CHURCH FINANCE . What was given here was placed within the precincts of the temple, for it was given to the Lord while it was appropriated to his ministers. It was a religious act on the part of the donors, and not less so on the part of those whose special duty it was to distribute it. "They brought in the dedicated things faithfully " ( 2 Chronicles 31:12 ); and "according to their fidelity did they show themselves holy in regard to the holy; " i.e. " they acted in a holy manner with the holy gifts, distributed them disinterestedly and impartially" (Keil). There is no reason why both the giving of money to the cause of God (and included in this is the contribution to the sustenance of the Christian ministry) and also the allocation of all such money should not be a thoroughly devout and pious action. It may be rendered as truly "unto the Lord" as the singing of a hymn or the delivery of a discourse. It should be a sacred service, offered conscientiously, devoutly, holily.

II. SYSTEMATIC COLLECTION OF CHURCH FINANCE . While considerable room was left under the Law for spontaneous liberality and for special offerings under peculiar circumstances, there were certain regulations as to tithes and firstfruits ( 2 Chronicles 31:5 ). These latter were not optional, but obligatory; at the same time, they do not seem to have been recoverable by legal process; but they point to systematic contribution not unattended with special and spontaneous bestowments. And this surely is the right principle in the Christian Church.

1 . Let every man consider what proportion of his income, considering

2 . Let every one of us be prompted to give special help whenever some specially powerful appeal is made to our spiritual convictions or our human sympathies.

III. SYSTEMATIC DISTRIBUTION . This is something which must depend upon the constitution of each particular Church, and must vary according to that constitution. But there are some general principles, partly suggested by these verses.

1 . Let every care be taken that all that is contributed be devoted and distributed, none being wasted or perverted. Here is scope for carefulness and for faithfulness.

2 . Let the necessities of those on whom God has laid the weightier domestic burdens be generously met.

3 . Let those who are engaged in the less prominent places be as much regarded as those who are "serving at Jerusalem" (see 2 Chronicles 31:15 , 2 Chronicles 31:19 ).

4 . Let men of acknowledged probity and capacity have charge of the treasury (see 2 Chronicles 31:12-14 ).—C.