2 Chronicles 31 Devotional

Abundance Traced Back to God

“and Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and there is plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people; this great abundance is what is left over.””2 Chronicles 31:10 (BSB)

Hezekiah restores the priests and Levites to their duties and gives from his own possessions for the regular offerings (31:2-3). Then he asks the people of Jerusalem to provide for the priests and Levites so they can devote themselves to the law of the LORD (31:4).

Firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, and honey pour in, along with tithes of herds and flocks, laid in heaps that grow from the third month to the seventh (31:5-7). When Hezekiah asks about the heaps, the chief priest explains. Since the giving began, there has been enough to eat with plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed his people (31:10). His people gave from what he had blessed, and their gifts became more than enough. Paul says the same God is able to make every grace overflow, so that his people have what they need for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). Generosity is not a way to impress God. It is a glad way of handing back what was his all along.

To think about: What has God placed in your hands that you could give back with gratitude this week?