God Horizons: Priorities

“Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai:  “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?  This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:  Look at what’s happening to you!  You have planted much but harvest little.  You eat but are not satisfied.  You drink but are still thirsy.  You put on clothes but cannot keep warm.  Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes.”  Haggai 1:1-8

Haggai talks about “Pockets with holes;” that provides a very good visual for us doesn’t it? 

Have you ever lost something valuable by putting it in a pocket that had a hole?  We put things in and instead of staying in our pockets, it drops right on through.  As fast as that important thing goes into our pocket, it’s gone!  Down through the open end!

Through the prophet Haggai, God got a word to his people that they were losing their spiritual blessing, because they were putting too much value on the things of this world. They were busy building their own homes; God’s house could wait for later.   This Scripture paints a picture of how we can labor in vain with wrong priorities (pockets with holes) that lead to dissatisfaction by not fulfilling God’s heart and view of how things should be done. 

If we are honest, we talk with people everyday who are dissatisfied with life; most of the problems stem from lousy priorities.  God must be first; in the Center of our lives.  As Christians, we need to model this kind of living; it is a way for us to witness the truth.  Christ knows how to build on the right priorities.

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” Psalm 127:1