"God’s Care and Judgement XIX"
Last week we looked at Haggai 1:5, which contained a "thus says the Lord" statement about giving the whole heart to God. This week we're looking at Haggai 1:7, which repeats the same words as verse 5 but has a different meaning: "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Consider your ways!'" (NKJV).
The context of Haggai 1:5 indicates that God wants the heart, since what God wants Israel to consider is how much or little they prioritize him, compared to other things in their lives. But there's something altogether different going on in Haggai 1:7. In light of God telling Israel to consider their ways in verse 7, God then proceeds in verse 8 to give detailed instructions for what Israel must do: they must go into the mountains and bring back lumber in order to finish rebuilding the temple, so God can "take pleasure in it and be glorified."
God explains that he caused Israel's misfortunes so that he could get their attention (verses 9-11). But he makes it very clear in verse 8 that what God wants Israel to consider is stewardship and how they use their resources. Nowhere in Haggai 1:7-8 does God hint or suggest that it's inappropriate to have nice things, to invest in yourself and your family, or to use your resources and finances to accrue great wealth for yourself. What God seems to have a problem with, however, is Israel's well-established habit of providing for themselves first, and then using very little of their resources to take care of God's priorities - or entirely forgetting to invest in the kinds of work that matter to God. Obviously, this would include upkeep of the temple, taking care of the priests and those who serve in the temple, and ensuring that worshipers' needs are addressed, because you can't do any of these things if there is no temple or if the temple is falling apart.
Friends, how often do we find ourselves in the same situation: concerned about taking care of ourselves and our loved ones, but not so concerned with taking care of God's priorities? Which of God's priorities that you've overlooked might God be prompting you to "consider?" Which of God's priorities that you've ignored might God be convicting you to invest in - church maintenance, Christian education, outreach and evangelism, discipleship and spiritual growth, fellowship and building relationships, etc.? I trust that as God uses his "thus says the Lord" to remind you to think deeply about who has your heart, you will likewise respond to him when he reminds you to consider what you do with your money - because thus says the Lord.
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
