11/11/13- Returning the Blessing

3 The king contributed from his own possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals as written in the Law of the Lord. 4 He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord. 5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. 6 The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the Lord their God, and they piled them in heaps. 7 They began doing this in the third month and finished in the seventh month.8 When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw the heaps, they praised the Lord and blessed his people Israel.

9 Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps;10 and Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok,answered, “Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.” (2 Chronicles 31:3-10; cf. Exodus 34:1-7)

Thoughts: If you have been blessed, you do well to bless others- passing that blessing on.  When we do not keep the blessing for ourselves we are returning the blessing to God.  Hezekiah purified the Temple from its abuse under his father Mannasseh.  He then assigned Levites and priests to do certain duties and asked that the people tithe of their gifts so that the holy men could concentrate on the Lord's work.  So much was brought that they just heaped it up.  It was a sign of God's blessing.  (vs.10).  When people give in trust in God, the world sees, the church sees, we all see that God has blessed us.  The more He blesses us, the more we are called to be a blessing.
   We bless the Lord, not just with our words but primarily by living for Him and not going our own way.  The best blessing we give is when we bless God with our words as well as the way we give of ourselves.  The doxology says, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."  All blessings come from Him.  When we pass God's blessing on to another being He loves we are returning the blessing to Him.  When we bless others we are returning the blessing to God- blessing Him as well.  

Prayer: Lord, make me a blessing to you and others.  On this Veteran's day we pray for those who are hurting, and wounded.  May they find your grace and hope.