Nehemiah Chapters 1-3.
It is always a thing of joy to see the beginning of a new construction. For those who are involved , it is a sine quo non, an accomplishment, so to say, even if the project is just beginning. So it was when the Temple of Jerusalem begun during the time of King Artarxerxes.
They all came from various parts of the then world in Jerusalem and then laid the foundation for the commencement of the building to the joy of everyone expressed in their own varied ways. Yes, some cried for joy, while the others rested for happiness. It was gladness and a show of wordiness for the God of all flesh.
“Then I told them of the hand of God which was good upon me ; as also the King’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for this good work. “Neh 2:18.
But the point must be made that it is not without antagonistic remarks. As the Jews were labouring to find a house in Jerusalem for their God, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Co were busy plotting out how to put a stop to its progress .
” But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite , and Geshem the Arabian, heard it , they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said : What is this thing that ye do? will ye revolt against the king? “
As expected, the Israelites had an answer that came from their leader Nehemiah.
” Then answered I them and said unto them , The God of heaven, he will prosper us ; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial , in Jerusalem” As the beginning , there is no gain saying in the assertion that money is the beginning of everything. However. the reality is that there must be a resolve to do a thing; then there will be every other thing in support . I am minded to say this because so many things have been silenced because ‘ there is no money ‘. Going by Nehemiah, the Israeli leader, the concept of what the leader wants must come first, then the rest of the resources, including money.
Are you a church leader, a church builder and a church financial resource person, this message must sink into your system – that the Almighty God would first create an enabling atmosphere where the construction would take place before asking you for funds. I am minded to lay this out because many church projects have been abandoned on the excuse that there is ‘ No Money ‘. The truth is that there must be money provision as long as there is a planned program to begin the project.
Looking at issues around us, there are a number of projects or engagements that have almost folded on the basis of no money. Giving it a close look, one is likely to find out that the cause of failure or lack of proper execution of those projects are improper planning and not necessarily lack of funds. Yes, they may not have enough funds, but that is not certainly the first reason the project is kept in abeyance.
My dear brethren , take a look at those things around the church premises and see what impact they will create for you and the people and , above all, the God we serve. Whatever it is, our argument is that there must be a rule to ascertain what should be needed whilst we are putting in place the things that are important.
Meanwhile, the planning and execution of things to do in our churches must not be left in the hands of men and women of poor quality. They must be people who have been involved in such things before , who are currently in it, and those who will always adjust to correction. They are not people who wonder about searching for things that are not necessarily associated with the work.
As we sum up, let it be carefully understood that the concern of the church is associated with the idea of redeeming the things of God . Those things which are kept in high places, those things which are programmed in big quarters, and those things which are with us. Let us all be mindful that planning carefully preceeds the search for funds. True, funds are necessary to execute plans, but the plans should be seemingly flawless. If not, all the funds would be put to waste.
To God be all the glory in Jesus’ name.
