v 4 - He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.
Christians may be reminded here of Acts 6, where the apostles wish to delegate the ministry of food relief in order to focus on the “ministry of the word of God.” In Chronicles, Hezekiah wants the tithe reinstituted in order that the priests and Levites might fully be able to focus on their chief responsibility, viz. the ‘Law of the Lord.’ Verses 2-3 spell out in more detail what exactly this ministry entailed.
The “generous” response (v 5) appears to be more than enough; the contributions are tithes on everything: livestock, grain, wine, olive oil, honey, etc. No wonder storerooms are required (v 11)! But, lest we imagine the Temple a bank, we find a sophisticated distribution process already under way (verses 14-19). Thus the ministers’ needs are provided.
What place does the tithe have today?
