The subject matter in this post is one you may never read anywhere else. Nonetheless, understanding it is critical to our access to God’s promises. Through the prophet Haggai, God complains that His house lies in ruins. Meanwhile, the complaint continues, we all cozy up in our various homes.
This is particularly important if it seems you make money only to put it into a pocket with holes. I am sure you know people like that. They make money but wonder where their money goes. Looking at them, you wonder with them, because they appear poor. That is what God says will happen to those who refuse to build His house while running to their mansions each night.
Now, you may have heard pastors using this very passage to raise funds for their building funds. You might even have contributed generously to the project. And yet, you suffer the consequences of not building God’s temple as though God’s house lies in ruins on account of you. What is going on is your next question, and it is a great question.
You do not have to accept this at face value; read it for yourself in Haggai 1. 2-4. “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people say, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ” Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple lies in ruins?”
The Soul Lies in Ruins
Now, this is why you must truly love God. He does not need cross-examination, and does not leave us in suspense. In the very next verse, God pronounces the sentence and punishment attendant upon our sin. We see that in Haggai 1:5-8. Please note that this is not Bible study for its sake.
We are studying the Word of God for lessons that will cause the promises of God to manifest in our lives. So, before I quote the verse here, I would take stock of my life. Then, as I read the verses, I would take note of all that applied to me and make up my mind to perform the necessary actions. If we agree on that course of action, let us get the verses.
Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink. Next, you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes. Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. Ouch!
Your Identity in Christ
You wonder why we are considering verses that your pastor quotes at least once a month to raise building funds. It is to deliver us from bondage to the pastors and to help us enter into our identity in Christ. Many believers (and so-called Christians) did not, and still do not know that they are the temple of God.
That is the motivation for Paul asking us in 1 Corinthians 3.16: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” Many do not know. Ad, just like God, Paul does not leave us in suspense with that riddle. The next verse says, “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
Are you truly saved? Then, you are the temple of God. And if you leave your soul in ruins, God is talking to you now. Do not let Him destroy you. Do not be the farmer who sows a lot but brings in little. Or, if you are a wage earner, ensure you do not put your salary into a pocket with holes.
As Your soul Prospers
Recall and re-read our post on the prosperity equation, where you prosper materially in equal proportion to how your soul prospers. It will benefit you because we have the same thought here. Do you go to the Bible to get the building materials for God’s temple, which you are?
That is what would glorify God; He commands us, “Go to the mountains and fetch the wood needed to build His temple – that, your soul. How often do you read your Bible? Indeed, how many times do you refer to the passages in this blog post? Have you ever encouraged someone else to subscribe to avoid the situation where their soul lies in ruins?
I shall consider my ways so that my soul, which is the temple of God, does not lie in ruins. Then, I can be sure He will not destroy me by causing me not to benefit from my wages. Allow me to hope and pray that you will make the right decision today.
Maranatha!
