Ezra 2:64-70: a reflection

64The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, 65in addition to their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they had two hundred singing men and singing women. 66Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five; 67their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty. 68Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place. 69They gave according to their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments. 70So the priests and the Levites, with some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

This passage numbers the whole company of exiles who returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem, and it records something about their giving. When they came to the house of the LORD, some of the heads of families offered freely for the rebuilding of God's house; they gave, the text says, according to their ability, into the treasury of the work. These were not wealthy people; they were returning exiles, rebuilding from little. Yet they gave willingly, each according to what he had, toward the work of God's house.

Notice the two marks of their giving: it was free, and it was according to their ability. They gave willingly, not under compulsion; and they gave in proportion to what they had, each contributing according to his means. No single amount was required of all; rather, each gave freely from what he had, whether much or little. What God received was willing, proportional giving, offered gladly for his house.

That is the pattern of giving that pleases God still. He does not ask a fixed sum from everyone regardless of means, nor does he want gifts given grudgingly or under compulsion. He looks for willing giving, offered gladly, in proportion to what we have. The one with little who gives freely from that little, and the one with much who gives freely from that much, both give as these returning exiles did. Give to God's work willingly and according to your ability, not grudgingly, not by mere obligation, but gladly, from what you have. God receives the free, proportional gift of a willing heart; give as these did, each according to his ability, and offer it gladly for the work of God.

Lord, the returning exiles, rebuilding from little, gave freely for your house, each according to his ability, offering willingly into the treasury of the work. Teach me to give as they did. You do not ask a fixed sum from everyone regardless of means, nor do you want gifts given grudgingly or under compulsion; you look for willing giving, offered gladly, in proportion to what I have. Help me give to your work willingly and according to my ability, not by mere obligation, but gladly, from what you have entrusted to me. Whether I have little or much, help me give freely from it, as these exiles did. Make me a cheerful, willing giver, offering my gifts gladly for your work, each according to his ability. Let my giving reflect a willing heart, glad to have a share in the work of God.