THE -KING'S. BUSINESS
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in ways that require no sacrifice and there fore bring no blessing. Instead of coming to Christians with large demands upon their generosity, we seek to get money out of them by subterfuge and trickery, instead of giving them a chance to give out-and-out and thus reap a large blessing for themselves (2 Cor. 9:6, 7). We try to fool them into giving by selling them poor ice cream and worse oyster stew; by turning the House of God into a vaudeville show of poor, quality, or by pampering their pride by auctioning off pews or by turning religious conventions and evangelistic meetings into scenes of rivalry as to which persons or societies will give the most. It is no wonder that the treasuries of the Lord are depleted and that there is no gladness in giving. If churches would only try the'plan of Jehoash and be straightforward with the people and ask them to give out-and-out and expect them to give largely, the treasuries of the Lord would be overflowing, v. 11. "And they gave the money, being (1) The Faithless Priests, vs. 4-6. King Joash commands the priests to take the census money and offerings, and, to gether from their friends money for the" re pairing of the temple, vs. 4, S. The priests fail to do as commanded, v. 6. Questions: Who made the breaches in the Temple? 2 Chron. 24:7. Who took it to heart and desired the re pairs made? 2 Chron. 24:4, 5. What money was to be set apart for the work? Ex. 30:12-16. Was the redemption money also named? Num. 18:15, 16. What other funds ? Lev. 27:2-8. What else was acceptable? Ezra 1:6; 2:69. Were the priests also to gather funds from their friends? 2 Chron. 24:5. Did the priests follow the command? v. 6. Why did they fail? Isa. 56:10, 12; Mai. 1 :10 LESSON
told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the car penters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD." The handling, of the money was done in a businesslike way (cf. 2 Chron. 24:11). This inspired confidence and doubtless contributed to the,largeness of the gifts. The irresponsible way in which some men and churches handle the Lord’s money does not a little to dry up the streams of benevolence. The result of .it all was that “the work was perfected” (2 Chron. 24:13). . v. 15. "Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully." Every man that worked on the temple was interested in the work and did what he did honestly. They did not need to be watched nor reck oned with. Their heart was in the work and “they dealt faithfully.” There was not a grafter among them. OUTLINE (2) Fixing the Blame, vs. 7, 8. The king calls Jehoiada and the priests \ tpgether, y. 7.- He countermands the order for collecting the money,, v. 7.. He orders the house repaired, v. 7. The priests agree to commence the work, v. 8. Questions: Can a man serve two masters ? Matt. 6 :24.1 How should men serve who are called to work? Rom. 12:11. Is the attitude of the king a sign of his desire to honor the Lord ? 2 Chron. 24:2. What are the hindrances to the work God has given His servants? Idleness, Matt. 20:6; robbery, Mab 3:8; uncleanness, Isa. 52:11. Are men called to account for service? Rom. 14:12. If we serve the Lord, what will the Fa ther do? John 12:26.
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