How can we prioritize God's work to avoid consequences like in Haggai 1:10? Facing the Warning in Haggai “Haggai 1:10 — ‘Therefore, on account of you, the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops.’” God literally linked the drought to Israel’s neglect of rebuilding His house. Ignoring His priorities still carries consequences today—spiritual dryness, relational strain, financial frustration, ministry stagnation. Recognizing the Root Issue • Misplaced priorities: “My house remains in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house” (Haggai 1:9). • Self-reliance over God-reliance: plenty of activity (“planted much”) yet minimal fruit (“harvested little,” v. 6). • Forgetting covenant obligations: withholding honor from the One who supplies every need. Practical Steps to Put God First 1. Give God the first portion of every resource • Time — start the day and week with worship, Scripture, fellowship (Psalm 5:3; Hebrews 10:24-25). • Treasure — “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest” (Proverbs 3:9-10). • Talents — “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). 2. Obey promptly and completely • Israel was told, “Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build My house” (Haggai 1:8). Delay equals disobedience. • Evaluate unfinished assignments God has already given—then finish them. 3. Seek God’s kingdom first • “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). • Order budgets, calendars, and family goals around kingdom objectives before personal comfort. 4. Invest in God’s house today • Local congregation: support biblically faithful preaching, missions, discipleship. • Global mission: pray, give, go (Acts 1:8). • Personal temple: guard purity, nurture Spirit-filled living (1 Colossians 3:16). 5. Trust God’s promise of provision • Malachi 3:10 — “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.” • When God is honored first, He removes the “bag full of holes” (Haggai 1:6) and supplies what work alone never secures. Blessings That Follow Obedience • Renewed presence — “I am with you,” declares the LORD (Haggai 1:13). • Restored productivity — “I will no longer make your heavens like bronze” (Deuteronomy 28:12; cf. Haggai 2:19). • Lasting satisfaction — “Your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:10). • Eternal reward — “You will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward” (Colossians 3:24). Scriptures That Reinforce the Call • Luke 12:34 — “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” • Psalm 127:1 — “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” • 2 Corinthians 9:8 — “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.” Prioritizing God’s work—first, fully, and joyfully—turns withheld dew into showers of blessing. |
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