Daily Devotional – Thursday, November 5, 2026
You have sown much and bring in little. You eat, but do not have enough. You drink, but you are not filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages earns wages to put into a bag with holes.
Haggai 1:6 (NKJV)
Imagine working hard throughout the year, but your earnings are never enough. You plant your crops, but the harvest disappoints. You earn money, but before long, it is gone. You make plans to improve your circumstances, yet somehow you never achieve your goals. This was the kind of frustration depicted in today’s key text.
Wages in a Bag With Holes
The Israelites had returned from exile in Babylon and settled back in Jerusalem. They had started rebuilding the temple, but the work had come to a standstill. Meanwhile, they had found time and resources to improve their own houses. That is why God sent the prophet Haggai to challenge them. Their priorities had shifted, and they had neglected the work He had given them.
The language Haggai used was relatable. They planted much but harvested little. They had food and drink but never seemed satisfied. Even the money they earned seemed to disappear before it could meet their needs. This was more than an ordinary season of economic difficulty. God was confronting His people about their disobedience and explaining that neglecting their responsibilities had consequences.
When Your Efforts Never Seem Enough
We, too, can become so caught up in our daily responsibilities and personal ambitions that we gradually lose sight of what matters most. Making a living, providing for our families, and pursuing a better future are worthwhile, but they should never push God out of our lives. Our desire to improve our circumstances should not consume all our time, attention, and resources at the expense of our relationship with Him.
Examine your priorities honestly. Are you devoting so much attention to constructing your own life that you have minimal time remaining for God? Perhaps you have become too occupied with your plans, ambitions, and personal interests. Remember that your relationship with God deserves more than whatever time and attention you have left over. Make room for Him in the life you are working so hard to build.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep my priorities right. May the desire to improve my life not make me neglect You or the responsibilities You have entrusted to me.
