“Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord. And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”
2 Chronicles 31:4-10 KJV
The offerings were gathered into heaps and were stacked up, one next to the other.
The Abundance of the Tithe
Hezekiah commanded the inhabitants of Jerusalem to give their portion to the priests and Levites so that they could focus on the law of the Lord. As soon as they heard the command, the Israelites gave in abundantly—the first fruits of corn, wine, oil, honey, and all the increase of their fields.
They brought offerings from the increase of their harvest and gave a generous tithe of everything.
Abundantly Blessed
The abundance came because they had received an overflowing blessing, and this inspired others to give as well. Your giving inspires others to give!
They brought tithes of cattle and sheep, along with the tithes of the holy gifts dedicated to the Lord, and they gathered them into great heaps.
Third Month – The Beginning
This began in the third month of the year. In our calendar, the third month is March. They started piling up the heaps in the third month and completed them in the seventh month. The heaps accumulated through March, April, May, June, and July.
Giving Glory to God
The blessing was so great that everyone who saw it gave glory to God.
“And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.” (Verse 8)
“Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.” (Verse 9)
Great Store
In verse 10, the chief priest Azariah answered: “For the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”
They had eaten and been filled ever since they began bringing offerings into the house of the Lord. And not only had they eaten, but there was also a large surplus left!
Heaps
Between now and the end of July, the blessing shall flow upon you and your family. The blessing has nothing to do with the condition of the rest of the world, or the economy. It is according to His riches in Glory.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
Be ready to see heaps in your life!