Haggai I
Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. (Haggai I:8 ESV)
Priorities
If you have flown recently, the flight attendants probably instructed you, in the case of tragedy, to look after yourself first, then look after a loved one. That probably makes a lot of sense in the air travel world.
But it is not the way God expects and deserves to be treated.
Haggai instructs God’s people to build God’s House first, before their own. He instructs God’s people to give love to God first, before even their family. He instructs God’s people to have God be their first priority.
We modern folk, however, treat God like we are in that airplane.
We look after our own selves first, and then focus on Him.
We tithe if our budge allows, instead of giving to God, or even charity, first.
We take care of our own yard and home, and if we have time, the church building or those in need.
It is easy, it seems, for us to give God our leftovers, instead of our first fruits. Be that time, finances, mental energy, emotional offerings, or focus.