Giving To The Building Project

Some of us are looking at 1 Kings. It’s a fascinating read.

Take chapter 6 and 7. Compare the length of time it took to build the Temple for the Lord and how long it took to build his own crib. I had a problem with that, thinking that his palace took longer because it was more important. A friend pointed out, however that God blessing the effort appears to show otherwise. Likewise it was apparent that Solomon prioritised the building of God’s house before his own.

That got me thinking of everybody’s favourite Bible book: Haggai. Years after Solomon’s Temple has been destroyed, those returning from exile have misplaced their priorities. While the Lord’s house remains in ruins with planning postponed indefinitely, people’s own houses are being built with the intent that their way of life carries on regardless. Haggai has to address the issue for people to connect how lack of regard for God’s business is intrinsically linked to how other affairs tend to be unproductive.

So we come to the building project. I’ve experienced being in gatherings where space has been rented for the purpose of the gathering. Those that gather make it a project to raise funds for their own building which they can consecrate to God’s work especially the gatherings. To that end rallies, concerts, fund-raising events of almost every hue are unleashed on friends and family in the hope that sufficient funds can be garnered for the blessed building.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure the sentiments are noble and the ends they pursue are godly. What is tragic, however, is when the focus of God’s church is more about brick, mortar, land and property rather than the Building Project He had in mind from the beginning.

The Light of Christ revealed God’s building project had always been to dwell in and among His creation made with His own hands. That had been the plan traced from the beginning and hinted at in.intervals of the Israel narrative of the Old Testament. Now God wants us to prioritise His building project just as Solomon did. Give that the quality time it deserves in terms of discovering your place in His building project, how you work with others to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness. Discover how you can reflect the amazing life giving love of Jesus to others.

That can happen in a building the gathering owns. That can happen in a coffee shop (preferably without the coffee – they do sell a good orange juice). It can happen in an old people’s home, a maternity ward, a youth hostel, perhaps even the comfort of your own living room. Location isn’t primary, the Building Project is. As long as that is the main thing as it was for Solomon, then that heart for God can bring about that sense of His presence that honours His dwelling place.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden