2 Chronicles 31:1

2 Chronicles 31:1 says, Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.  After the celebration, the people began to destroy the idols and cut down the groves used in worship and throw down the altars in the high places.  This even carried over into parts of Israel, Ephraim and Manasseh.  They got rid of everything associated with the false gods and so must we in our lives as followers of Christ.  It is not enough to gather and celebrate God and then go out into the world and still allow idols to exist in our lives.  Verse two adds, And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.  Hezekiah then established the order in which the Levites would serve.  This might have been the responsibility of the high priest, but if it was, he evidently wasn't fulfilling his responsibility.  Thankfully, our High Priest will never fail us, even if we fail to do what He has called us to do.  Verse three continues, He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the Lord.  Hezekiah gave his own portion to be used in doing God's will of burning the morning and even offerings.  We need to be willing to give back to God at least a portion of what He has blessed us with so that His work may continue to be done.  Verse four states, Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.  He also commanded that the people who lived in Jerusalem give to support the priests and Levites.  Matthew Henry points out that this had been neglected for a long time.  If we believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will lead us to giving to God, but we will never be forced to give.  We must do so willingly and also joyfully I believe.  Verse five adds, And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.  To their credit, as soon as the command went out, the people obeyed it and began to bring their offerings to God.  Once we know that we have not been giving in accordance with God's word and the guidance of Holy Spirit, we need to begin to do so immediately and not think we will wait until certain things have been paid off or until we feel that we can afford to do so.  We need to put giving to God first.