Three years ago I applied new siding to a back yard out-building that was rotting and leaking. It was a difficult chore, but with my lovely wife's help, we got the job done. The plan was to paint that building shortly after the siding was installed. But here it is three years later, and you can still see the pencil markings and white caulk, because it is still unpainted.

Many among us understand what it means to begin projects that remain unfinished for a while... or forever.

As we read Haggai, we see the Jews back in the land from Babylonian captivity. And they've been back for 16 years! But they still have not completed the temple. God's house had been lying in ruins for decades. One would think they would have accomplished this monumentally important task to honor the ONE who delivered them from bondage and brought them safely back home. But all they had installed was a foundation.

It is this problem Haggai addresses by teaching them - and us - the following lessons.

There are important things, and there are monumental things. Jews were living in nice homes while neglecting the house of God (1:4). Having a house in which to live is important. So is being a good steward of the same. But compared to rebuilding God's house - the place of sacrifice and worship? There is no comparison. They needed to prioritize, and so do we. Do we manicure our lawns and decorate our homes while neglecting to be an asset to the local church or to be soulwinners? Put first things first; you will be blessed... and a blessing.

Worldly endeavors leave people unsatisfied, unfulfilled (1:6). This world is eye-catching and flesh-enthralling, but when you look in the wrong places for fulfillment, you will never be satisfied. Marilyn and Elvis had it all (from a worldly point of view), yet they died similarly: drugged and alone. Putting God second to worldly pursuits produces a temporary high, but ultimately leaves people empty. On the contrary, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6) - both now and eternally.

Neglecting God's work is self-defeating (1:9-11). Because they neglected God's house, He withheld rain and physical blessing. Their poverty was self-produced. But their spiritual poverty was the worst consequence of all. They jeopardized their relationship with God. By giving themselves completely to Him and His will, He would have abundantly blessed. May we learn this lesson well: we never help ourselves by neglecting God's will for our lives (see Deuteronomy 6:24; 1 Timothy 4:8).

Good people sometimes need a jolt (1:12-15). The governor, Zerubbabel, and the high priest, Joshua, were good men, but they had grown lax in their activity toward God's temple. With fiery Haggai's message, the fire of their zeal was rekindled, and they began to finish rebuilding the temple. Even good people sometimes get complacent and need reproof. Even you... and me. Thankfully God puts fellow-disciples in our paths to awaken us more fully to our duties to God.

Projects can be discouraging (2:1-3). After one month on the job of rebuilding, those who saw Solomon's temple in their youth - and perhaps also those who had heard vivid descriptions by their ancestors - were disappointed in how this new temple was shaping up. Any who begin adventurous projects around the house (like removing old vinyl flooring from a concrete slab and replacing it with wood) understand the discouragement of realizing just how much blood, sweat, and tears are poured into such endeavors. But God encourages these temple rebuilders in three ways.

God's promises can embolden, strengthening us to do what otherwise we could not accomplish.

Conclusion: Our unfinished projects. What happened in Haggai's day sometimes happens in ours. Our projects go unfinished. We get discouraged or sidetracked with other important projects. But surely we accomplish the really important ones like repairing a hole in a window or replacing an outside door that has fallen off of its hinges.

And surely we give diligence to fulfilling the activities God expects from us. Worship fervently. Help fellow disciples diligently. Win souls passionately. May we never so busy ourselves with earthly pursuits that we lose sight of honoring Him in daily life. That is the heart of Haggai's message. And our culture desperately needs this jolt.

- Biblical Insights, August 2012