When you are lost, you have become disoriented and are not where you want to be.  But what if you have even lost perspective on where you need to be?  It is easy to get lost financially.  A few wrong turns, and few too hopeful decisions, a few emergencies and we are financially lost.  We are not sure which way to turn and what to do.  We can all get financially lost.

Here is the Big Idea from this week’s message:  Financial stress reveals my heart and my plan.

Financial stress reveals where my heart is with God.  It reveals the strength or weakness of my financial plan and skills.

The prophet Haggai was one of the first to speak up for God to the exiles that returned to Jerusalem.  They had returned with high hopes.  But had had mostly struggles.  Things were a mess in the city.  The surrounding inhabitants were not happy to see them.  And then the weather was not cooperating.  Haggai shows up and wants to help them see what God wants them to see about their “financial stress.”  They needed to see that their hearts were not in on God’s plan to turn Jerusalem and them into a spiritual powerhouse from which He would bless the nations.  In fact they were not even interested.  So God had let their efforts at securing their own lives and interests be not so fruitful.  You can listen to the message   and use the questions below as a guide.

1. What evidence is there that I am lost financially or in danger of getting into a financial mess?

      “Give careful thought to your ways…” Haggai 1:5

2. What do my finances reveal about my relationship with God?  Do my finances reveal a devoted life to Jesus Christ?

“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little.  What you
brought home, I blew away.  Why?”  declares the Lord Almighty.
“Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.”    Haggai 1:9

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”           Matthew 6:34

“For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.”     Matt 6:21

3. Am I willing to respond to God in repentance?  Am I willing to learn new skills?

“Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him.  And the people feared the LORD.”   “I am with you,” declares the LORD.  So the Lord stirred up the spirit of  …the people.  They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God…”            Haggai 1:12, 13, 14