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Commentary
Prosperity and Poverty - Both are Gods
There comes a time, or times in a persons' life when all of the effort put into a thing doesn't bring the result that it should, or is expected to. Every other time it worked very well, but this time it seems a waste of time. This time there seems to be no evidence of progress, or very little at all. Haggai heard from the Lord in this matter. Gradually, over time the effort of the People shifted to well being of the People, instead of the Glory of God.
God isn't necessarily angry. God simply wants us to be forever reminded that in the busy efforts to make accomidations for our own well being, we must never forget the ultimate importance of Glorifying God.
I see all around me that my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ do prosper. The Word said it would be this way. When we are in the center of our prosperity, we must NOT EVER forget the source of our success. We must NOT EVER forget that our prosperity is the result, NOT the goal!
A very short while ago I did have everything that my heart desired. I had a wife. I had a son. I had a very nice house. I was content. I was very content. I forgot to Glorify God. Listen, I went to the church every morning at 4:00am to clean the church, to study, and to remember to give God the praise. I fell short, even in the center of the effort. God didn't remove my substance because I forgot to Glorify Him. He just doesn't do things for a single reason or result. There are always dynamic, or multiple reasons and results when God moves in our lives.
Not only do I need to acknowledge Him, Glorify Him, and praise Him, but I also need to relate to the very people I am sharing this with. My heart was strong for the homeless and the chemically dependant people in my town. It wasn't enough to go from door to door, sharing the love of Jesus. I needed to see where they are hurting, by hurting there in that same place, myself. God will use the people who are willing to be used. We are the body of Christ. Individual members of the body. The hand, the foot, the eye... some are the heart... but Jesus is the head.
Don't be afraid to go into the wilderness, even if you feel like you done everything just as God wanted you to do it. Sometimes we need to become familiar with a path that isn't ours, so that we can help a fellow find the way. There is nobody so lost that they can't be found. Trust in God, even if things look really bad. Encourage yourself in worship. Delight yourself in praise. Acknowledge the Lord and He will direct your path!
June 10, 2014 - 2:13pm
