'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the Lord Almighty. 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:8-9 NIV
Solomon's temple, with all of its splendor, was the most magnificent structure ever created. When it was destroyed, the Israelites thought there would never be another temple like it. They had placed their hopes in a building. They were caught up in the size and prestige of the first temple, and since they were now living in captivity, and didn't have the wealth they once had, they didn't think they could please God with what they could afford to build.
Have you ever felt like that? You can't "give" to God what some people can. You don't have the wealth of some. You aren't as eloquent a speaker as others. You just don't feel what you have to offer is worthy of God. Wouldn't the Devil love to keep you thinking like that?
God didn't need the Israelites to build Him a fancy temple then, and He's not expecting it from you today. God owns the silver. He owns the gold. He controls the wealth of nations, and kings are serving at His will. He doesn't need you! You need Him! God may want to use you just to show off His glory!
God wanted the Israelites to build a temple, not because He needed it, but to prove their love and commitment to Him. He was pleased far more with their effort than with the expense of the architecture. God even promised to give more of His glory to the new less expensive structure than He had shared with the older, more elaborate structure.
Maybe you've been putting off serving Him because you didn't feel worthy. Give God what you have to offer today. Let Him use it to His glory; and then watch Him do a marvelous work in your midst.
God is still making nobodies into somebodies today! Let Him work on you (and me)!
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