SATURDAY January 28, 2017
Business as Usual
Then the word of the Lordcame by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lordof hosts: “Consider your ways!” - Haggai 1:3-5
Under the authority of King Cyrus of Persia, about fifty thousand Jews returned back into their land. But there was a big problem––their lives became business as usual. Haggai was written to these people and is a book of priorities. The people had forgotten their first priority––God. They had no desire to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Instead their first priority was to rebuild their own beautiful paneled houses. It was obvious that rebuilding the temple was on the bottom of their list. Where was their desire to build a place to meet with God and have true worship?
In Babylon the Jews had become great business people. Making money was their main priority. But it seemed the more they made financially the more it disappeared. It was as if God had placed a hole in the bottom of their money bags—their money just flew away (Haggai 1:6).
America is a very prosperous nation and many people have become successful and gained much wealth. There is nothing wrong with having money but what kind of stewards have we become with our finances? Is our first priority to spend our wealth on ourselves? What about the house of the Lord–our place of worship? Biblically, giving to the Lord is an act of worship and a test of our obedience. Malachi 3:10 prioritizes tithing:
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it”
If you are not giving to the Lord consider changing your priorities.
If we would have God open his treasury, we must open ours.
~Thomas V. Moore~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
