Not only had the temple been profaned, but the offerings had been misapplied. This had tended to discourage the liberalities of the people. They had lost their zeal and fervor, and were reluctant to pay their tithes. The treasuries of the Lord's house were poorly supplied; many of the singers and others employed in the temple service, not receiving sufficient support, had left the work of God to labor elsewhere.

Man havde ikke blot vanhelliget templet, men også anvendt offergaverne forkert. Resultatet heraf var, at folket tabte lysten til at give. De havde mistet deres iver og begejstring og værgede sig ved at betale tiende. Herrens hus' skatkammer var næsten tomt. Mange af sangerne og det øvrige personale, som var knyttet til tempeltjenesten, havde forladt deres gerning i Guds hus og søgt anden beskæftigelse, fordi de ikke fik tilstrækkeligt til deres underhold.