Priorities ... deadlines ... how did life ever get this way? The siren of the urgent sounds and we scramble to fit one more task into an already crowded schedule. Is it possible the this is one of the enemy's tactics - to keep us so busy with the urgent that there is little or no time for the important?
Several millennia ago the word of the Lord came to a prophet to remind the people of God of important priorities:
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'This people says, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.'" Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:2-5)
The Jewish nation was conquered, plundered and pillaged because of their sinful disobedience. But the sentence for sin had been served and now the people were allowed to returned to their homeland through the gracious provision of God's grace. Their first priority was for their own safety and comfort (not necessarily a bad thing), and so they set out to build and rebuild houses. Not only did they build homes for themselves, they also went to great measures to furnish their homes with the finest in comforts and decorations. These were no design-on-a-dime projects! The problem was the house of the One true God lay in neglected ruin all the while the people of God were consumed with apportioning their dwellings with creature comforts.
So what's the lesson and the moral of the story? Should local church congregations invest large amounts of time and money in their church facilities? Does Christian responsibility dictate neglect of our personal residences in order to equip and furnish an excellent facility for God's use?
Let's be clear on exactly what the "house of God" really is today. It's not a holy place; it's a holy people:
"you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)
To invest in the house of God is to invest in the people of God. Perhaps Haggai's admonition to us today would challenge us to less time with TV and video games and more time with God's people; less Facebook and more face time; less pursuit of personal interests and greater priority on "body building".
Time spent with God's people is time well invested. A goal of encouraging just one believer each day will reap benefits in this age as well as the age to come. Building relationship bonds builds the house of God.
It may sound trite but it's true and noble: reach out in encouragement to one believer today.
Steve
Several millennia ago the word of the Lord came to a prophet to remind the people of God of important priorities:
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'This people says, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.'" Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:2-5)
The Jewish nation was conquered, plundered and pillaged because of their sinful disobedience. But the sentence for sin had been served and now the people were allowed to returned to their homeland through the gracious provision of God's grace. Their first priority was for their own safety and comfort (not necessarily a bad thing), and so they set out to build and rebuild houses. Not only did they build homes for themselves, they also went to great measures to furnish their homes with the finest in comforts and decorations. These were no design-on-a-dime projects! The problem was the house of the One true God lay in neglected ruin all the while the people of God were consumed with apportioning their dwellings with creature comforts.
So what's the lesson and the moral of the story? Should local church congregations invest large amounts of time and money in their church facilities? Does Christian responsibility dictate neglect of our personal residences in order to equip and furnish an excellent facility for God's use?
Let's be clear on exactly what the "house of God" really is today. It's not a holy place; it's a holy people:
"you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)
To invest in the house of God is to invest in the people of God. Perhaps Haggai's admonition to us today would challenge us to less time with TV and video games and more time with God's people; less Facebook and more face time; less pursuit of personal interests and greater priority on "body building".
Time spent with God's people is time well invested. A goal of encouraging just one believer each day will reap benefits in this age as well as the age to come. Building relationship bonds builds the house of God.
It may sound trite but it's true and noble: reach out in encouragement to one believer today.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:50 AM
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