"விதைகளின் உள்ளே" 🌳
“Within the Seeds” 🌳
📖 Bible
Meditation – No. 1828
🔆 AATHAVAN |
Sunday, 08.02.2026
“But Zerubbabel and Jeshua
and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, ‘You
have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves
will together build for the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of
Persia, has commanded us.’” (Ezra 4:3)
Many people do not hesitate
to give offerings for God and for temple-related activities, because they
believe that such giving will bring blessings into their lives. However, even
if one pours millions into the construction of temples or labours day and night
for religious activities, God does not approve the offerings or services of
those who do not live a life pleasing to Him. The reason is simple—God is not
poor, nor is He someone who becomes complete because of our help.
What God desires above all
is a life of repentance. Moreover, God does not accept acts done for Him merely
out of competition or comparison with others.
When the Jews were freed
from Babylon by King Cyrus and returned to Jerusalem, they began rebuilding the
temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Those who had earlier
opposed the Jews, seeing the temple construction, came to them and said,
“Let us build with you, for
we, like you, seek your God” (Ezra 4:2).
In response, Zerubbabel and
Jeshua spoke the words found in today’s verse.
Though their offer to help
build the temple appeared to be a good deed, the Jews did not accept it. At
this point, let us reflect on some present-day ministries. Many ministers are
willing to accept financial support for their ministry needs and expenses from
anyone—even from the wicked or deceitful—and readily pronounce blessings over
them. Rarely do they speak to such people about repentance.
However, true servants of
God who minister under the guidance of the Holy Spirit do not accept offerings
from unrepentant people. Just as Zerubbabel and Jeshua declared, they refrain
from receiving such offerings.
In my early days, the IPC
church pastor I attended—Pastor Johnson David—used to say to some who came
forward to give offerings, “Brother, first come to the Lord. Surrender your
life to Him. We can talk about offerings later.”
He would pray earnestly for
their repentance. This is the mark of a true servant of God. God does not
primarily desire the offerings people bring—He desires their souls.
Despite having great
financial needs, the Jews boldly declared, “We ourselves will build the house
to the LORD God of Israel,” and they completed the temple without accepting
inappropriate support.
God desires offerings that
come from honest labour and righteous living. Even if ministers accept money
earned through bribery or deceit, God does not approve it. Therefore, there
must be a holy fear in us when we give offerings or involve ourselves in
temple-related works. An offering is not a bribe given to God.
The words,
“You have nothing in common
with us in building a house to our God,”
should provoke deep reflection within us and lead us to repentance.
Only those who live a life
pleasing to God—His true children—can give offerings to the LORD God of Israel,
and only their offerings will be accepted by Him.
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