Pastor Ralph Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinstonY Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 Q 2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? Ezra weights all this gold and silver in order to ensure that it is not stolen. You know, this is not really a matter of distrust, it is a matter of making sure the money arrives safely. Steps to prevent embezzlement are good because it removes the Temptation that might make people do something which is not really what they want to do. If the treasure is weighted and recorded this whole help prevent the temptation and enable of the goods to arrive safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 On 8/15/2017 at 2:36 PM, Pastor Ralph said: (Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Ezra was reminding the 12 priests "of who they are and whose they are" and weighing the gold and silver was an accountability measure...both to hold them accountable to how much weight each carried, as well as the responsibility and as a protection for each of them when they reached the journey's end and the items were weighed again. Ezra was both wise and meticulous, serious and exacting in carrying out his duties unto the Lord. A great trustworthy leader! Is this an act of distrust? I don't think so. I think it was foresight and precaution, but it certainly eliminated any temptation to keep back a little for themselves. If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? God's word tells us that temptation is common to man. It's a given that it will happen. Men and women may not "take the way of escape" the Lord offers to us during temptation .( I Cor 10:13) It is wisdom to put in place accountability which minimizes the risk both for the tempted one and for the Christian organization. When the offering is counted at church we always have two count the money, and never a husband and wife together. Just because it keeps everything simple and removes the temptation, since no one (but the Lord) would ever know if some was stolen. Why dangle temptation before someone who might "stumble"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 He weighs them out coming in and going out to help the persons entrusted with these funds, not to be tempted to steal them. Not really. He realizes that they need to know it belongs to the Lord and they are all responsible to use it in the way the Lord directs. It is for the same reason--to protect those handling the $'s and to make plain it belongs to God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 On 8/15/2017 at 5:36 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? The gold and silver vessels are weighed to assure that done of God's funds were embezzled. Is this an act of distrust? No, this is not an act of distrust. If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? Steps to prevent embezzlement is good for Christian organizations because trusted people can be tempted by greed. It is best not to put people in a situation that they can be tempted. Knowing that funds are being checked by more than just self is a good way to prevent greed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dave Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? The answer to the first question is simply to make sure everything arrives safe and sound, but as far as being an act of distrust, I don’t think so because Ezra told them (the high priests) before they left that they were holy to the Lord, and that the vessels were also and I think it might have been a device used to help prevent them from falling into temptation. Steps to prevent embezzlement are good because if one person ran into a financial difficulty and had easy access to funds not his/hers, they could easily fall and if caught later on the situation could have gotten much worse for the person and at the same time cause funding problems for things people paid into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 Ezra weighs out the gold and silver even though he entrusts the individuals because sometime greed overruns the conscience mind. It is not an act of distrust is just keeping honest people honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 (edited) Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Q. Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? A. To ensure accountability he weighed the treasure at the take off point to ensure that nothing would be pilfered on the way, he thus re-weighed the treasure again at their destination. Q. Is this an act of distrust? A. Not really. This is to avoid the temptation that may arise from the those in charge of carrying the treasure. Q. If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? A. Please see the b part of the above. Edited October 10, 2017 by haar correct typos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertha Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Ezra is making sure that they understood that they were holy men, chosen and entrusted with holy items that had been consecrated for God. This was God's gift from everyone to them for the temple. They were accountable to God and everyone else who witnessed it being weighed. This is a great responsibility given to them by God. As a priest, he is very well aware of the temptations that we experience in the flesh and the consequences for disobeying God. Therefore he instills the fear of the Lord. I don't think it is an act of distrust. Sometimes we have to be reminded who we are in Christ, that we be careful to keep our testimony pure. We represent God. People's eyes are on us. Christian organizations should take steps to prevent embezzlement by: providing an annual public record of expenses made by the church, making sure there's at least 2 people counting the monies, offerings, tithes. Making sure the treasurer is not allowed to help count the church's income. Maybe, rotating the persons who do the counting. Full disclosure of all church receipts and expenditures including love offerings should be reported to the congregation annually. The church should require two signatures on checks for all church expenses. We have to be realistic, unfortunately, that we all can fall into temptation at any given time. Contribution statements should be made available to everyone who has given to the church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted October 14, 2017 Report Share Posted October 14, 2017 Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? It is a sound and wise decision to establish systems of responsibility and accountability for the transportation of these valuables. This is not an act of distrust. The amount of gold and silver to be transported is huge. On top of this, the articles and offerings have been set apart for God, and special care is required to ensure their arrival in Jerusalem. Our God is a God of order, and I feel therefore, that there must be proper systems in place, and accountability demanded making embezzlement virtually impossible. This also helps to protect the people themselves from temptation. Our Christian organizations are not immune from the evil of greed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra Grant Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? 1. The gold and silver vessels are weighed to assure that none of God's funds were embezzled. 2. No, it is not an act of distrust. 3. Steps to prevent embezzlement is good for Christian organizations because christian people can be tempted by greed. To protect those handling the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 On 8/15/2017 at 5:36 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? Ezra weighs out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple to ensure that the people did not remove any for themselves. Is is an act of distrust and at the same time showing them that there is always accountability. Steps to prevent embezzlement is good for Christian organizations because the enemy will bring temptation. Preventative measures will minimize the opportunities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zilka Posted November 19, 2017 Report Share Posted November 19, 2017 Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? Because of It is wise for churches and Christian groups to take steps to avoid the temptation to embezzle money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damary Alembi Posted November 23, 2017 Report Share Posted November 23, 2017 Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? This is because access of money has a way of tempting people to steal it … or embezzle it from the organizations they work. Is this an act of distrust? It is both wise and biblical to set up measures to ensure that trusted people don’t embezzle God’s funds. It is not that they do not trust one another, but it is well known from sad experience that even the best people can be tempted by greed. Taking precaution is wise. If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? t is both wise and biblical to set up measures to ensure that trusted people don’t embezzle God’s funds. It is not that they do not trust one another, but it is well known from sad experience that even the best people can be tempted by greed but wise to take precaution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKeane Posted December 5, 2017 Report Share Posted December 5, 2017 "what gets measured gets managed" is a common workplace adage (can also be used for self-review of where my heart (Jewish definition of heart) really is: so bank record review (interact, visa etc) gives an outline of categories where resource is spent, especially in conjunction with a cross-reference to time spent; neither is infallible in measuring the heart, BUT if there is no or very little in either category ' for a group important to focus group priority, in this case demonstrates importance of the resources e.g not pocket change to be used whenever hmm tough to generalize---too much time is sometimes spent counting pencils, a massive witch-hunts when coffee fund is short (again!!); some of the same "diligence" could be better leveraged asking have we sketched out the right path/direction?; are we prepared to use the other end of the pencil (eraser) and re-group, re-focus? human we are stained, even after Baptism and better to reduce the temptation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 17, 2018 Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? It is not a matter of mistrust but of accountability. All human beings, even the best of us, can be tempted under the right conditions to do the wrong thing to fill an actual or perceived need. So, measures of accountability are good for Christian organizations. Additionally, Ezra wanted to make sure that what he left with was what arrived in Jerusalem. Accountability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted February 19, 2019 Report Share Posted February 19, 2019 To make sure all the gold and silver was still there, that no one stole it. No. If we have learned anything from the past, it is that all forms of money leads many to be tempted. For it is wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted October 18, 2020 Report Share Posted October 18, 2020 Ezra was a wise man who knew the ways of man, so he weighed out the precious metals prior to the journey. He told them that the articles would be weighed again on arrival in Jerusalem.He also told those in charge of the items “You as well as these articles are consecrated to the Lord”. This will also act as a deterrent to anyone thinking of anything wrong. It is wise to have checks and balances in place , not as a sign of distrust but every organisation needs to be transparent and be able to account for every cent that they have, especially when it doesn’t belong to individuals. As Christians we also have the responsibility of setting good example and most importantly not bringing dishonour to God by being deceitful and sinful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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