Priorities

Priorities

Q: God sent Haggai to tell the people to do what?

• a. rebuild their homes
• b. rebuild the Temple
• c. tear down the idols

Do you know what the word priority means? Something that is a priority to you is more important or of more value to you than other things. It’s usually what you spend your time, energy, and sometimes even money on. If football is a priority, you may spend hours practicing or watching games. You might buy football cards and spend time talking to other football fanatics about the different players. Lots of things can be a priority—homework, your school sports team, a club, a hobby, or even a friend.

When the people of the southern kingdom were taken captive, they were away from their homeland for 70 years. During that time the Temple was ruined. When the Jews returned to their land, they rebuilt the foundation of the Temple. But they stopped work, and 15 years passed without their completing the Temple. God sent Haggai to tell the Jews to finish the construction project.

The Jews had wrong priorities. They built homes for themselves, but they hadn’t finished God’s Temple. They were neglecting spiritual things and focusing on their own comforts.

God wants first place in our lives. He wants us to use our talents, money, time, and energy to do his work. It’s okay to do things that aren’t specifically spiritual, but doing what God wants is the top priority.

For You

It’s easy to tell what people’s priorities are by how they use their time and what they talk about the most. What might others think your priorities are by how you spend your time and energy?

Answer: b

The LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?”   Haggai 1:3-4

(The Whole Story: Haggai 1:1-11)