Faithful workers

But they gave that to the workmen, and they repaired the house of the LORD with it. Moreover they did not require an account from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to be paid to workmen, for they dealt faithfully. – 2 Kings 12.14-15

King Jehoida had set about repairing the temple after it had fallen into disrepair. He set up a collection box to receive the offerings and the gifts poured in. They had plenty of funds and the started replacing the things needed for worship.

There was also physical damage to the building. They had to hire carpenters and lumberjacks and stone masons and metal workers. Everything that has ever been built has required either that we now called blue collar workers. They make up the fibre of every culture. These are folks that provide for the everyday needs of society.

Among all the rest of the reports of repairing the temple these guys stand out to me. These workers had such a reputation that when they were paid or given money for supplies nobody had to check up on them. They didn’t have to turn in their receipts. Long before Paul wrote about workers doing their best because that reflected their relationship with Christ these workers were already doing there best to the extent that they never had to give an account of their actions or purchase of supplies.

What a challenge for us today. How do we do our jobs? Are we so trustworthy that no one needs to check up on us? That kind of reputation only comes through years of hard work and diligence and honesty. These workers ‘dealt faithfully.’ Are we that kind of faithful workers?