Nehemiah 10:32-39
“We also imposed on ourselves the obligation to contribute a third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:” (32) This would cover the cost of ingredients for ongoing ministry demands in God’s house. Also, they shared responsibility for the supply of materials essential for all the regular offerings “…as it is written in the Law, for the priests who are ministering in the house of our God.” (36c, d). Then they addressed the issue of first fruits offerings: “We will also bring the first of our dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine, and the oil to the priests at the Chambers of the house of our God, and the tithe of our ground to the Levites, for the Levites are they who receive the tithes in all the rural towns.” (37). The Levites were accountable to the priest [High] for all that was brought to the store house. This collection of offerings was well organized and not simply to take care of the needs of their spiritual leaders. This was to insure they did “…not neglect the house of our God.” (39e). Notice this often repeated phrasing: “…the house of our God.” (39e). There is a corporate mindset in this organization and yet it is a personal responsibility for each one to our God , for He is a personal God. Worship is corporate and personal.