Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” Haggai 1:10-11
“We are dependent upon God for everything, and sometimes He makes use of the ordinary laws of nature to be a chastisement to those who forget Him. If we will not be reminded of Him by His mercies, we shall be reminded by His judgments; and if, as stewards, we do not make a proper use of that which He entrusts to us, He can easily take it all away.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon in Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible.
As I soak in the words of Haggai in light of God’s desire for us to serve as generous stewards, it seems that He will work through the forces of nature, if necessary, to get our attention.
In fear and reverence of His power, let us humble ourselves and be reminded by His mercies so we don’t have to be jolted by His judgments. Let us consider the “proper use” of all we have.
Wealth is not to be stored on earth but in heaven. Riches are not to be stockpiled for ourselves but enjoyed and shared with others. Possessions are not owned for personal purposes, but stewarded for God’s purposes.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Consider what you have and how you might need to change to make a proper use of all that you have. Follow His leading in humility and generosity.