The House of My God and Its Services
Words of Faith 9-2-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Nehemiah 13
[10] I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. [11] So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts. [12] All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and oil into the storerooms. [13] I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because these men were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their brothers. [14] Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

          After Nehemiah rebuilt the walls in Jerusalem, he went back to Persia. When he returned to Jerusalem, he found several things had gone awry in the town. Nehemiah was probably surprised at how quickly things in Jerusalem had fallen into disarray. The great revival had brought an exciting new beginning to the expression of faith. People felt new and cleansed. Reforms intended to hold things in order were put in place. But in a very short time problems had arisen.

        The text is not altogether clear here. Nehemiah had already addressed the collection of tithes and offerings. It appears that while officials may have collected the tithes, they were not distributed to the Levites and singers. This would explain the rebuke of the officials and not the people. As a result, the Levites and singers had gone back to working in the fields. The staff had gone home!

        How sad it is when the work of God must stop not because of the unfaithfulness of God or the unfaithfulness of the people, but because of the unfaithfulness of a system.

        We often make a point of how important it is for the people to be faithful in returning a tithe or offering to God, but we sometimes miss how important it is for the house of the Lord to distribute those resources where they are needed. This is a Scripture for corporate application, but corporate application must first be personal.

       We are all usually part of a church body or structure where we have a part. We are responsible to know if our church is faithful with the tithes. We are responsible to know if those who serve God have adequate provision. How sad it is when churches amass large reserves for a "rainy day" but there are “Levites and singers” that are not adequately funded. Are our missionaries properly cared for? Are our church planters free from financial burden?

        Many of the Lord's servants— missionaries and staff— do not have adequate medical insurance or even modest retirement funds. How often do we hear of someone called to serve who must return to "work in the fields" because they cannot survive? Certainly there is a place for "tent making" in the work of God's Kingdom but it was important to Nehemiah that the household of God and the service of God's house not be neglected. That is why he prayed: "Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services."

        How are the missionaries of YOUR church doing? Out of sight out of mind? The pastor? The staff? The choir? Are they neglected? Do they have the tools and provision they need? Are they properly cared for and funded? Perhaps what they need more than financial support is just a word or a note of encouragement. Let us not neglect the house of the Lord.

         Lord Jesus, I pray today for those who serve in Your house. I pray for my pastor. For the worship leaders. For the singers and musicians. I pray for the missionaries who extend the care of my church body. O God, meet their needs this day through the blessings You provide through the body of Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.