The concept of supporting the temple is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the importance of the temple as the center of worship and community life in ancient Israel. The temple, first established by King Solomon, served as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people and was central to the religious, social, and economic life of the nation.

Biblical Mandate for Support

The support for the temple is mandated in several passages throughout the Old Testament. In 1 Chronicles 29:3-9, King David sets an example by providing his own wealth for the construction of the temple, encouraging the leaders and the people to do likewise. The passage highlights the voluntary and generous nature of giving: "Then the leaders of the families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly" (1 Chronicles 29:6).

The law also prescribed specific offerings and tithes to support the temple and its services. In Deuteronomy 12:5-6, the Israelites are instructed to bring their burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, and special gifts to the place the Lord chooses as a dwelling for His Name. This directive underscores the temple's role as the focal point of worship and the community's responsibility to sustain it.

The Role of Tithes and Offerings

Tithes and offerings were integral to the support of the temple and its priesthood. The Levites, who served in the temple, were sustained by the tithes of the people, as outlined in Numbers 18:21: "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do—the work of the Tent of Meeting" . This system ensured that those who ministered before the Lord could devote themselves fully to their sacred duties.

In addition to tithes, freewill offerings played a significant role in temple support. The construction of the tabernacle, a precursor to the temple, was funded by the freewill offerings of the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 35:29: "So all the men and women of Israel whose hearts were willing brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do" .

Rebuilding and Restoration Efforts

Throughout Israel's history, there were periods when the temple fell into disrepair or was destroyed, necessitating efforts to rebuild and restore it. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah document the return of the exiles from Babylon and their efforts to rebuild the temple. In Ezra 1:4, King Cyrus of Persia encourages the people to support the rebuilding: "And let every survivor, wherever he resides, be assisted by the men of his region with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem" .

The prophet Haggai also exhorts the people to prioritize the temple's restoration, emphasizing the spiritual significance of their support: "Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" (Haggai 1:4). This call to action highlights the importance of prioritizing God's house and the blessings associated with obedience.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, while the physical temple in Jerusalem remains significant, the focus shifts to the spiritual temple—the body of believers. However, the principle of supporting the work of God continues. In 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, Paul draws a parallel between the temple service and the support of those who preach the gospel: "Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat of its food, and those who attend to the altar share in the offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel" .

The early church practiced communal support, as seen in Acts 4:34-35, where believers shared their resources to meet the needs of the community. This reflects the ongoing principle of supporting God's work, whether through the temple or the church, as an expression of faith and commitment to the Lord's mission.