Have you ever thought about how important our body parts are? We probably don’t give too much thought to such questions on a daily basis unless we have a particular body part that doesn’t work just right or perhaps one that we do not have.

Tragic circumstances or serious illness are often responsible for the loss of a limb or the inability to use a body part. We don’t appreciate our bodies until something doesn’t work!

Recently, while traveling, we ate at a Cracker Barrel. Our server had shorter arms than normal and had only a thumb and one finger on each hand. I was amazed at how proficient she was at her job. She did everything with such ease and efficiency.

What made that possible? It is likely it is her dedication to learning to use what she had. She may have had special training, but sheer determination is usually what brings about such success.

In the book of Haggai there is a verse that comes to mind as we consider the topic of what we do with our hands. The verse reads, “Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5 KJV). The same thing is repeated in verse 7.

We need to get a little history to understand what is going on as Haggai, a prophet of God, is given instructions to pass along to the children of Israel.

The Jews had been in captivity; and in the book of Nehemiah, he requested from the king permission to return to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he found a city left in ruins. His plan was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. There were those that tried to interrupt the building of the wall and discourage the people, but Nehemiah 4:6 tells us that the people continued to work because, “They had a mind to work.”

Working with their hands proved to be beneficial, not only for the completion of the wall but also for their own satisfaction. It was their willingness to work with their hands, to protect their city, and to serve God that made it possible to complete the task.

The Jews set up the altar for sacrifice and began work on the foundation of the Temple, but they were interrupted by those that did not want to see the Temple completed. About sixteen years later, Haggai came along to get done what should have been done years before.

The people had spent their time taking care of themselves, but they had neglected God. Look at what God says about them: “You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes” (Haggai 1:6 ESV).

All of their “ways” were worthless because they did not seek help from the Father. They credited themselves with what they were doing, and they had done nothing with God in mind. God admonished them to “consider their ways.”

Someone recently told me, “I have a life, and I’m living it.” They indicated they were concerned only about their own feelings and not the feelings of others. That is exactly what the people of Israel were doing. They had that same attitude of what I call “meitis.” Everything was about “me”, and nothing was about doing for others.

The rich farmer in Luke 12 was concerned only about his great wealth and keeping everything for himself. Because of his selfishness, God took his life.

Jesus warned His disciples in Matthew 25 about seeing those in need (hungry, thirsty, without a place to stay, without clothes, being sick or in prison) and not helping them. He said, “As you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:45-46).

 So what we do with our hands is important. Think about the children’s song and those around you in need. Think about Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”

Whatever we are going to do, we must do here. When we go to the grave, there will be no one to need our service. Now is the time to use our hands in service to God.

Sandra Oliver