17 August 2009 Devotion for Today "At the Kings Expense" Ezra 6:8-10

17 August 2009 Devotion for Today "At the Kings Expense" Ezra 6:8-10

Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. 9 And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons. (Ezra 6:8-10)

For about a year now we have been hearing that we are in a recession, and that the government is cutting its budget. This, they say, is due to low tax revenues. When people have no jobs, they don't have income to pay taxes on. State governments, especially, are eliminating programs and cutting back on things that we have grown dependent upon as long as our memory serves us- especially in education. So much more is demanded upon our teachers and our schools, with less and less money to meet those expectations. Wouldn't it be great to hear someone say, "We've got the money to do it" instead of hearing, "we can't do that, they are cutting the budget this year!"

I am greatly encouraged as I read this passage in Ezra 6. The settlers who returned from exile found themselves up against the bureaucrats who tried to keep them from rebuilding the Temple compound. The Persians and other pagan occupants of the land saw that the Israelites were spending precious tax money that might have gone for their own projects. With the Temple as a new cultural center, the pagans feared that the Israelites would dominate the population in the area and become their new masters within a short period of time. They did not know, however, that the Jews had the favor of the king, and that the entire project was paid for at the king's expense.

Do you have a project or a work of the Kingdom that needs to be accomplished this week. Understand that our King of Kings knows that you do not have the funds to accomplish what He desires. He wants it to be paid for out of His account- at His expense. He will not give us a job to do without the resources or the means to get it done. He only asks that you use good stewardship principles, don't waste His money, and that you keep good records of expenditures. The same accounting is also true with the use of His time. He does not like to see us frittering it away or "goofing off" when we are on His clock. He also will be disappointed when we try to do His work without turning in the receipts. Remember, it is at the King's expense.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful to serve You today to the best of the power and in the resources that You have given me to do what needs to be done. May I not be sloppy in the work that I do, but to be wholly committed to make a careful accounting of every dime and all the time You have allotted me. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.