Haggai 1:2,4-5 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord...Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”
The Lord says, “Stop for a minute, look around, and see how you are treating Me!” This text is not a defense for building multi-million dollar worship facilities! The point is that the great care given to their own houses coupled with the great neglect of God’s house signified deeper problems!
First, their “paneled” houses signifies the ever present trap of materialism! We want to have the best, latest, and most expensive, and we want others to know! Materialism devours hunger for God. God’s business can be done tomorrow. I need that paneling today!
Second, self has taken first place and pushed God to the side. Next to the temptation to “acquire in order to satisfy” is the temptation to “be your own boss.” We foolishly believe we are independent and so end up in a rat race. As a result, the most important thing, worshipping God, is neglected.
Third, making sure our own homes are glamorous while the Lord’s house is rotting says a lot about our hearts. The Lord does not need the most expensive building, but our full attention to self and total neglect of matters of worship indicates misplaced affections!
Maybe there are areas in our lives where we are “leaving God till later!” Maybe we need to “consider our ways!”
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