Priorities of the people of God

God’s people were busy with building their own houses and properties. Yet they were failing to give due attention to the house of the Lord. Everyone looked to his own interests, refusing to rebuild the visible symbol of God’s presence.

Today, the visible symbol of God’s presence among us is no longer a house, or a temple, or even the church building. Christ became the One who physically makes God present among his people. He declared himself the temple of God (John 2:19). And so it is little surprise that the apostles, after Christ’s ascension, declare the church, which is the body of Christ, as the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16–18; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16;Ephesians 2:21; 1 Peter 2:4–10). In the church, we are being built together as a holy dwelling place for God by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:21–22).¹

Where is God’s church, God’s new temple, on your list of priorities? This is not really about the building, but about the people. Where do God and his people fit into your life? Are they first? Is that clear from how you spend your time, energy, gifts, and also your firstfruits? Or do your priorities need reordering? Is it possible they are upside down? Do you ever think, I just need to get this settled and that organized, I just need a better standard of living, have the economy improve, and then I will have time, energy, and my firstfruits, for the Lord. Is the right time for you just not now? Do you have your own panelled houses? Do you have things pulling you away from God’s priorities? Are you chasing your own goals and ambitions ahead of God? How do you fill your conversations? Do you regard conversations about the things of God as somewhat awkward, uncomfortable, even uncool, and would rather talk, with much liveliness, about trivial things, like computer and video games, what you watched on Netflix, or saw on social media?

Beware of complacency, or a reluctance to prioritize the Lord and his church, lest you drift into lukewarmness, and the Lord spit you out of his mouth (Revelation 3:16). The alternative to building our own panelled house is to repent and humble ourselves before the Lord. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).