Observation: Under the system of tithes and offerings established by the Law, the people are to bring forward four types of giving. One is the tithe, or one tenth of everything they produce. Another is the first fruits, a gift of the first harvest of the year and the firstborn of the flock every season. A third is any kind of offering associated with events, which can range from the birth of a child, to the participation in one of the annual feasts, to the commitment and admission of sin. Finally, the fourth is a 'goodwill' or 'friendship' offering, which is just whenever someone feels like they want to give more to the Lord.
It appears Nehemiah replaces that fourth type of offering here, and introduces something Jesus will address ... the "temple tax". Verses 34-37 discuss the recommitment to the other three types of offerings, then verses 38-39 review the logistics of all the collection of offerings, declaring that the people "will not neglect the house of the Lord." However, nowhere is there discussion of random friendship offerings. The people do not commit to just loving the Lord so much that they feel they want to give him even more. Therefore, Nehemiah implements - as the very first recommitment to offerings - a tax of a third of a shekel (~$550 in today's money) per male, so the procedures within temple can operate and the building can be maintained.
It is no wonder this was a controversial tax. It isn't part of the Law, and by being a significant fixed amount it doesn't 'scale' based on an individual's ability to pay (like the tithe or first-fruits do). However, the largest issue might be that it changes the relationship people have with God. Instead of giving to the Lord out of love and relationship, they now give out of obligation; Instead of giving to the Lord because of who he is as the eternal and loving sovereign creator, they now give to a building because it needs maintenance and supplies for weekly rituals almost no one ever sees.
In other words, it seems the temple tax represents the idea that ... Yahweh went from being the most important being in the universe, full of love and mercy and hope ... to being the most important building in Israel, full of crumbling stone and day-old bread.
Application: It is interesting that this 'tax' becomes the one the Jews question Jesus about, and that Jesus ultimately pays via a miracle. As God incarnate - and the son of God - Jesus knew what relationship with the Lord meant, and it didn't mean taking care of a building.
What "thing" have I turned God into? In what parts of my life has an object - and perhaps caring for that object - become a proxy for actually interacting with, and carrying about my relationship with, the Lord? Perhaps my home and my family, though I am confident that I don't really care for them, but the Lord cares for them perhaps despite my efforts.
This is a good lesson to keep in mind. My heart should always be pointed toward the Lord, and not toward the "stuff" I have that may even be from the Lord. I must spend time every day maintaining my relationship with the Lord, and not focused on "keeping" the blessings he provides.
Prayer: Lord, you have been with my family and I throughout this Christmas season, and I thank you. I love you greatly, and I don't say that to you nearly enough. May I keep you not just in my heart, but in the very front of my mind, every day. Amen.
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