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Joash was a little boy when he
began to reign;—only seven years old. Kings have many duties to
perform which are very difficult, and very troublesome; and they need
great wisdom to perform these duties rightly. Children seldom have
so much wisdom as older people; and if they trust to their own knowledge,
they always do what is foolish, and ignorant, and even wicked. But
God will give wisdom to every child who asks Him for it. This alone
will help young kings and all young people, whether rich or poor, to do
what is truly right and wise. God gave young Solomon wisdom, and
Joash too, when they began to reign. "The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 61:10. These young
kings both reigned in the fear of the Lord; and this was their
wisdom. It was a happy thing for Joash that he had his good uncle to
teach him and advise him. Young people always need advice, and they
ought to be very thankful and very attentive to the kind and good friends
who give it to them. Joash did right all the time Jehoiada lived,
because he attended to what that good priest told him. The
house of God had been sadly broken up by the wicked queen Athaliah; and
now Joash wished very much to repair it. But Joash knew this would
cost much money, more than he could give: so he called the Levites
and told them to go all through the country, and ask the people to give
money to help to build up God's house. But the Levites were not so
anxious about this holy work as Joash was. They were very slow, and
took a long time to collect the money. This was not right.
When we have work to do, good work, work in God's service, we should do it
directly, and as quickly as we can. "Whatsoever thine hand
findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor
knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest." Ecclesiastes
9:10. Joash was displeased
to see his people so slow. He called Jehoiada and said, "Why
are the Levites so long in collecting money for God's house? Tell
the people to bring their money to the temple: and we will put a box
by the door of the temple, and the money shall be thrown in
there." So Jehoiada took a box, and made a hole in the top of
it, and put it by the door of the house of the Lord; and all the people
were told to bring their money, and to cast it into this box. The
people were very glad to do this; they did not want to keep their riches
for themselves, but were willing and joyful to give much of it to
God. The box was soon full; and then the Levites opened it, and
counted the money, and emptied the box, and put it in its place
again. The money was given to the carpenters, and masons, and
workmen, who repaired the house of God, to pay them for their work.
When all was finished, the Levites brought the rest of the money to the
king and Jehoiada. Then Joash commanded that all this gold and
silver should be made into holy vessels for the service of God; because
the money all belonged to God. The temple was now repaired; and the
people went to it every day, to offer their sacrifices, as God
commanded. Let us learn to be as generous, in giving our money in
God's service, as the good people of Judah were. We have boxes now
to hold money for holy purposes; to send out missionaries to heathen
lands; and to buy Bibles and Testaments; and to build churches and
schools, where idolaters may learn about Jesus. The money in these
boxes is all for the service of God; and if we love God, we shall be as
glad to contribute as the people of Judah were. Rich people would
throw in a great deal, if they truly loved God; and poor people would try
to throw in a little. All would give something: and they would
give it joyfully; for God does not like unwilling offerings.
"God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7.
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