2nd Chronicles 31 "GOOD AND RIGHT AND TRUTH" Those who had come together at the feast of Passover had a whole different understanding of things when they left that "conference." They knew what idolatry did to people and the people made a point of ridding the nation of Judah of the idols, groves, high places and all the was contrary to what God wanted. Idolatry claims thoughts, motivation, time, goods and wants supremacy in the lives of people. Modern day idolatry is as dangerous and wrong as idolatry was in the times of the writing of the Chronicles. The is only one way to deal with it. Destroy it, reject it and refuse to be anywhere it may be practiced.
Another positive result of the gathering of the people and the united fellowship that they experienced was the Lord's people began again to support those who were called to spiritual service - the priests and the Levities. A proportion of their income was set aside by all the people to meet the needs of those engaged in the service of God. The motivation behind these important changes came because Hezekiah led the people in the renewal of all the phases of national and religious life. He "did what was good and right" because : he remembered God's ongoing compassion to His people; he kept going in spite of being mocked and scorned by those who rejected his invitation to the feast; he removed the idols, high places and evil influences; he interceded for the people when they failed; he was open to worship from the heart; and he was a generous contributor to the Lord's servants.
Good leadership can stimulate interest, but in order for change to be implemented and maintained, the Lord's people have to respond, be a part of the work and know they have a significant role to fill in the work of the Lord. Then they will experience a sense of ownership in what is going on and will be committed to the work. Cleansing from defilement, celebration of the blessings of God, and continuation of the worship of God will keep the Lord's people with a sense of purpose personally and unitedly. There are many ways in which all can be involved. Needs are met with material goods, finances and time given voluntarily. The problem of any work is that there is initial enthusiasm, but that may wane as time passes, and instead of freewill offerings, there is grudging contributions that have no joy associated with them.
Faithfulness in leaders promotes faithfulness in those who follow the leaders. Generosity in giving on the part of some creates a generosity in others who find that "God loveth a cheerful giver." Because of the change in support, the priests were able to spend their time in their priestly work and maintaining the sacrificial system as God intended. The same was true of the Levites who were responsible for the upkeep of the temple, guarding the gates and providing the necessary backup for the worship of the people. They were also responsible for leading the singing and the public part of the worship and praise given to the Lord. Hezekiah reestablished the whole system of worship by returning to the word of God for guidance and carrying out the principles of order and decency in accordance with the scriptures.
The king took the lead in giving of his substance as did David and Solomon hundreds of years before him. The writer of the Chronicles passed all this on to the returnees so they would know what was expected of them and how things were to be done. Their response to the Lord was not just to rebuild, but to have order in the worship of God and the maintenance of those things that set them apart from other nations. A leader can verbalize his expectations to the rank and file, but it is his consistent example that make things happen.
Those engaged in new work and other forms of outreach beyond the local assemblies have greater financial needs that those who move as teachers and preachers from assembly to assembly. Accepting financial responsibility on the part of the Lord's people, is a great encouragement to those who are laborers in the great harvest field. Sometimes to review the history of those who have gone before us is the needed incentive to get the present generation to respond to the present need.
To begin a project like Hezekiah did "as soon as the commandment [became known]" will generate personal interest on the part of many of the Lord's people and they will want to be part of something positive that is going ahead. When God's people worship, they will want to contribute to the work as part of their worship and evidence of their gratitude to God. The Lord's people are most happy when they can see a meaningful work in which they have a part in one way or another, going forward successfully. The excess "heaps" were not wasted in any way. They were stored up against the time they would be needed. No one was ignored or forgotten who had a right to this bounty whether they were children or families - all who had the responsibility for divine things or were linked with those who did, were provided for.
The whole process of recovery included revival beginning in the king personally. One influential person can make a big difference in a lot of people. From that person's heart it extends outward to those around and soon revival takes place in many leading to recovery to the Lord. When one is committed with all his or her heart, there is no room for competing claims for allegiance by any other attraction. Following wholehearted commitment to God is contagious joy that is known by many.
Spiritual prosperity is a fundamental matter in a life of faith. A heart for God; obedience to God; commitment to God all lead to a full and meaningful life that has a positive effect. All who are influenced by one who loves "the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself," will find there are spiritual blessings that far exceed anything that can be found in any other way.