"Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” Haggai 1:5-6
Haggai reminds us to get our priorities in life right. The people Haggai addressed were putting their own selfish interests before God. They built their houses at great expense and neglected the things of God. In contrast, Haggai taught that when people put God first and seek to do His will, He will bring true blessing and fruitfulness.
The book of Haggai is a very relevant message to us in the United States. The general amount of affluence and comfort in America can cause us to drift into a spiritual stupor. The priorities that are sold to us by the media can lead our hearts astray and confuse us about what is truly important. And yet, time and time again, we see the lack of fulfillment that comes from greedy materialism and selfishness.
How much is enough? John D. Rockefeller was famously asked this question and his answer was “just a little bit more.” At the peak of his wealth, Rockefeller had a net worth of about 1% of the entire US economy. He owned 90% of all the oil & gas industry of his time. His wealth was staggering.
Contrast this with Jesus who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Take a moment today to “give careful thought to your ways”, as Haggai instructs. Spend time with God in prayer and ask Him to examine your heart. Have things got out of order in your life? Is God on the throne of your heart or have selfish desires replaced His preeminent presence and true purpose for your life? Haggai tells us to give careful consideration to such matters.
Our hearts will experience peace when God is put first in our lives. As Saint Augustine put so well and succinctly, “Our heart is restless until it rests in you, oh God.”