Ezr 2:68 | KingComments | STEP | Whatever the condition of the house, they arrive at “the house of the LORD,” for it still exists in the eye of God. At the sight of the ruin the heads of the family voluntarily give their gifts for the house of God, stirred up by the Spirit of God. The building of the house of God is not without sacrifice from our side. Our spiritual contribution is that God and His house have a great place in our hearts. The contribution is made “according to their ability” ( ; cf. ). What they give is little compared to what David and the rulers gave ( ). But God sees the heart. The “priestly tunics”, as it also can be translated, speak of the invisible motives by which priestly service is performed. Our motives for priestly service are formed in part by our relationships with others. This is also something the heads of families think of.

‏ Ezra 2:68

Voluntary gifts

Whatever the condition of the house, they arrive at “the house of the LORD,” for it still exists in the eye of God. At the sight of the ruin the heads of the family voluntarily give their gifts for the house of God, stirred up by the Spirit of God. The building of the house of God is not without sacrifice from our side. Our spiritual contribution is that God and His house have a great place in our hearts.

The contribution is made “according to their ability” (Ezra 2:69; cf. 1Cor 16:2). What they give is little compared to what David and the rulers gave (1Chr 29:1-9). But God sees the heart. The “priestly tunics”, as it also can be translated, speak of the invisible motives by which priestly service is performed. Our motives for priestly service are formed in part by our relationships with others. This is also something the heads of families think of.