A rusted out bucket

Today’s reading is from Haggai 1.

2A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “The people procrastinate. They say this isn’t the right time to rebuild my Temple, the Temple of God.”

3-4Shortly after that, God said more and Haggai spoke it: “How is it that it’s the ‘right time’ for you to live in your fine new homes while the Home, God’s Temple, is in ruins?”

5-6And then a little later, God-of-the-Angel-Armies spoke out again:

   ”Take a good, hard look at your life.
   Think it over.
You have spent a lot of money,
   but you haven’t much to show for it.
You keep filling your plates,
   but you never get filled up.
You keep drinking and drinking and drinking,
   but you’re always thirsty.
You put on layer after layer of clothes,
   but you can’t get warm.
And the people who work for you,
   what are they getting out of it?
Not much—
   a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that’s what.

We’re currently discussing tithing and the working of finances for the church in eXchange, and this scripture really hits home with me today. I’ve wasted a lot of time and money and other resources on things that aren’t redeemable. What do I have to show for it?

More credit card debt. More bills. More things tying me down. I want to be light! I want to live with a light load, and it’s all up to how I handle things on whether that happens or not.

My wife and I have, off and on, been attacking the stupid debt we’ve accumulated over the years. Recently, however, we’ve noticed a newfound fervor in this attack. Why? We’ve finally said, “that’s it God. It’s all yours. Do what you want.”

The best part? It seems to be working.

LORD GOD, I want to keep my eyes on you. I want what you want, and I want to help me your hands and feet and eyes and heart while on this earth. I would ask you to bless my efforts, but that would insinuate that they might not be of you. I want what you want God. I want what you want.

haggai, old testament, finances, debt, credit cards, jesus, god, christ, church

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