THE CHEST (MONEY BOX) OF JOASH - THE REAL ISSUE ON GIVING

(2 Chron. 24:1-14)
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 16 March 2008
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Transparent ballot box was introduced for the first time in Malaysia’s 12th General Elections on March 8, 2008. The Bible talks about another kind of Box  that was used for the first time in the history if Israel.

Background

Israel after the death of King Solomon ws divided into two:
Israel - the northern kingdom – 10 tribes
Judah - the southern kingdom - two tribes ( Judah and Benjamin )

Israel had 19 kings - all were bad.
Judah had 20 kings - 8 were good and 5 of the eight were godly and were the revival kings: Asa - Jehoshaphat - Joash - Hezekiah - Josiah

The Early Reign of King Joash (2 Chron. 24)
1. He Was Minded to Repair God’s House - :4, 7
2. He Sent the Levites to Gather an offering of the People - :5, 8
3. He Made a Chest for the Offering.  (The Chest of Joash) - :11
4. He repaired God’s Temple - :12,13

Joash restored the temple within and without from out of nothing through “the Chest of Joash” by pooling the resources of ordinary folks and rallying them to do their part. No effort was spared, no detail was neglected, and no force was necessary.

King Joash devised and constructed the first “money box” in the form of a chest with a hole in the top. This box was placed at the gate of the temple for offerings…The chest is a reminder of both the opportunity and an obligation. It will remind us of our responsibility as the people of God to continue to build for the future.

2 Chron 24:5  “But the Levites did not act quickly.”

I.  It’s a LORDSHIP Issue
“Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chron. 24:2) “…according to the commandment of Moses” (:6)

2 Chron 24:5  “But the Levites did not act quickly.”  What could possibly be the reasons the Levites were negligent in responding to the King’s decree restoring the Temple?

1. They were COMFORTABLE
2.  They were COMPLACENT
3.  They were COMPROMISING
4.  They were CONTROLLED

The LORDSHIP issue is a question of whose direction you will follow. Your own? Your accountant? The stock market? Or God?  Settle the issue of LORDSHIP, and there will be no question about giving!

II.  It’s a HEART Issue

“Joash set his HEART on repairing the house of the Lord” (2 Chron. 24:4)

Matthew 6:19-21 Our hearts follow our money! Wherever your money travels your heart is certain to follow.
Giving is making a decision of the heart.

III.  It’s an ETERNAL Issue

“Then all the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought their contributions and put them into the chest, until all had given.” (2 Chron. 24:10)

The ministry that is enabled by your gifts given here each week reaches eternal souls for Christ.

It does matter what you give, because your giving is an eternal matter. How you give here on earth will make a difference about your rewards in eternity. Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given you.”

Giving in American Churches

• 20% of members Give 80% of all funds
• 30% of members Give the other 20%
• 50% of members Give nothing – ever!

It seems that – at the least – half the church members in America don’t think it matters that they never contribute to the finances of the church.

If God will give the way we do, the way current statistics prove-out, 20% will be rewarded, and 50% will be on welfare… eternally! 

The people gave, and the temple work was completed. …It costs to do ministry God’s way. They invested in the eternal, they gave and it was good. The witness of the temple was once again a priority in the lives of God’s people.

“God has put eternity in their hearts” (Eccl. 3:11)

IV.  It’s a FAITH Issue

“Go out to the cities and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of God” (2 Chron. 24:5)
“… gathered money in abundance” (:11) … all had given (:10)

The way God speaks to us mostly when it comes to issues of faith is when we step out, confident that He will meet all our needs by His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!

GTPJ – What’s Next?
2 Chronicles 24:5  And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter…

Scriptures note that Joash’s biggest contribution was making repairs to the temple.
The Joash in our history is you – the people – the bride of Christ, responding, stepping-out, building for the future.

GIVING - TO BUILD THE LIVING CHURCH OF THE FUTURE NOW
It’s not just about money and building.

The Real Issues:
It’s a Lordship Issue
It’s a Heart Issue
It’s an Eternal Issue
It’s a Faith Issue