What return shall I make to the Lord for His goodness to me?

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people has said: “Now is not the time to rebuild the house of the Lord.”  (Haggai 1: 2).

The People of God who came back from a long and arduous exile gave all sorts of lame excuses for not  rebuilding the crumbling Temple.
Are we any different? We say:
After I finish my home....
When my children graduate from college...
When I retire...

Who are we deceiving?

"Then the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet:  Is it time for you to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins?" (Haggai 1: 3 - 4).

Sometimes God plays tit for tat, quid pro quo with us. Fair game?

"Now thus says the Lord of hosts:
Reflect on your experience!
You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not become intoxicated; you have clothed yourselves, but have not been warmed;
And the hired worker labors for a bag full of holes.  (Haggai 1: 5 - 6).

God asks them to reflect on their experiences, their self-interest to decide what is best for them.

Jesus teaches the most direct way for getting what we want from life:

"But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,  and all these things will be given you besides.   Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." (Matthew 6: 33 - 34).

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