“Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. And all those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.” Ezra 1:5-6
In the first chapter of Ezra there was a proclamation from Cyrus, who was king of Persia, that the house of the Lord in Jerusalem was to be built. Ezra was a leader who was full of faith and vision for the house of the Lord to be built. We as christians today can learn a great deal from Ezra and the principle of giving that we see in this portion of scripture:
- The Holy Spirit moves His people to be givers and builders. God is after the heart of man.
- We are moved to be givers. Giving to the house of the Lord means that I understand that there is a purpose for the Church in the earth today and that I am apart of it. It implies that I take ownership and participate in the work of God.
- Jesus is building His Church and we have the privilege to stand with Him and be builders.
- I stand and give with other believers united in common purpose.
- What I give is done willingly and with great joy.
My Resolution: I declare that this will be a year that I am a giver and a builder. I will joyfully give to the house of the Lord and stand with Christ and other believers moved by the Holy Spirit to see the purpose of the Church fulfilled in which I am a part. I will give in faith and expectation with vision for the house of the Lord. I will make a resolution to be a builder of God’s Church.
