This section begins the instructions for appointed people to oversee the finances of the temple. The strict observance of these practices would keep people honest and demonstrate due diligence to all donors that their contributions were managed honorably and dedicated to the Lord’s service.
The instructions towards maintaining all the orders of worship leaders, preachers, gatekeepers was through the donation of all the people. I wouldn’t be surprised if the responsibility of the “gatekeepers” (see yesterday) was also involved with the contributions of the people coming to worship. Remember that when entering the gate to the house of the Lord the first item that would be encountered was the altar of sacrifice where the worshippers would bring their offerings to God that would sustain the ministry at the temple. Someone once said, “no one came to worship God empty handed.”
I don’t preach on giving very often at CBC, but whenever I do there is always someone who is unhappy about it. I like what Ben Rogers wrote about this: When you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, “Does this hurt? How about this?” If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there’s something wrong, and the doctor will say, “We’d better do some more tests. It’s not supposed to hurt there!” So it is when pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard. Or perhaps there’s something wrong. In that case, I say, ‘My friend, we’re in need of the Great Physician because it’s not supposed to hurt there.’”
Chuck
“Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!” James 5:9