How can we identify if we are neglecting God's work in our lives?

◄ Are we neglecting God's work in life? ►

Listening to Our Excuses

Haggai 1:2—“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘These people say, “The time has not yet come for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”’ ”

• The people’s words reveal hearts content to postpone obedience.

• We neglect God’s work whenever “Not yet” becomes our default response.

• Cross-check with Luke 9:59-62, where delayed obedience equals disobedience.

Tracing the Delay

Signs we’re putting God off:

• Repeatedly postponing commitments like baptism, church involvement, or serving others.

• Overusing spiritual sounding phrases—“I’m praying about it,” “I’m waiting on peace”—without acting (cf. James 4:17).

• Allowing convenience or comfort to set the timetable instead of the Spirit’s prompting.

Spotting Misaligned Priorities

Haggai 1:4 exposes people building paneled houses while God’s house lay in ruins. Indicators today:

• Personal projects consume most energy; Kingdom tasks get leftovers.

• Budget lines for entertainment, hobbies, or upgrades dwarf giving (Proverbs 3:9; 2 Corinthians 9:7).

• Career goals or family schedules crowd out worship, fellowship, or ministry opportunities.

Checking Our Spiritual Temperature

• Diminished hunger for Scripture and prayer (Psalm 42:1-2).

• More excitement over earthly achievements than spiritual victories (Colossians 3:1-2).

• Irritability when asked to serve; joyless obligation replaces glad sacrifice (Galatians 6:9).

Reviewing Our Calendar and Budget

Practical audit questions:

• Where did last week’s hours go?

• Where did last month’s money go?

Patterns reveal whether we’re investing in eternal work or merely maintaining comfort (Matthew 6:19-21).

Looking at the Harvest

Haggai 1:6 records frustration—sowing much, harvesting little. Modern equivalents:

• Chronic dissatisfaction despite material gain.

• Relationships stagnating.

• Lack of fruit in evangelism or discipleship efforts (John 15:5).

When results remain thin, God may be withholding blessing to regain our attention.

Returning to the Task

Haggai 1:7-8: “Give careful thought to your ways…Go up into the hills, bring wood, and build My house.”

Steps back to alignment:

1. Acknowledge delay—call it what it is.

2. Repent—change mind and direction.

3. Act immediately on the last clear instruction God gave.

4. Trust His promised presence and favor (Haggai 1:13; Matthew 28:20).