Bag with Holes: Why Your Hard Work Isn’t Paying Off
In the book of Haggai, the people were busy. They weren't just sitting around doing nothing; they were farming, eating, drinking, and working for wages. But they were trapped in a cycle of divine futility. Haggai describes it with one of the most relatable verses in the Bible:
"You have sown much, and harvested little... and he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes." (Haggai 1:6)
The "Check Engine" Light
When the "Check Engine" light flashes on your dashboard, you don't blame the light. You know the light is just a messenger telling you that something is wrong under the hood. For the Israelites, their "bad luck"—the droughts, the inflation, the meager harvests—wasn't an accident. It was God's "Check Engine" light. He was intentionally blowing on their efforts to get them to look up.
Burnout vs. Blessing
As a nurse, I see this "Bag with Holes" syndrome everywhere in healthcare, and sadly in a lot of our own lives. I pick up the extra shift to get ahead, but then the car breaks down or some other inconvenience. We work ourselves to the bone for comfort, but we’re too exhausted to enjoy the home we’ve built! The "futility" isn't a punishment; it's a protection. God loves us too much to let us be successful at building a life that excludes Him. If your hard work is producing nothing but exhaustion and "holes" in your peace, it’s time to ask: Is God blowing on my harvest because I've forgotten Him?
Mending the Bag
The solution wasn't to work harder or find a better bag. (I have definitely tried!) The solution was to stop the construction on their own "paneled houses" and lay the foundation for God’s Temple. When we put the "First Thing" first, God promises to take care of the rest. He doesn't promise a life without work, but He promises a life where your work actually yields a harvest.
Where do you feel a "leak" in your life right now? Is it in your finances, your joy, or your time?
If you stopped "running" for 24 hours, what fear would surface? (That fear is usually what you've made your foundation instead of God).
What Can We Do?
The "Leak" Audit: Look at your bank statement or your calendar. Identify one area where you are spending a lot but feeling no "return."
The Gratitude Plug: Instead of complaining about what you don't have, spend 2 minutes thanking God for what you do have. Gratitude is the first step in mending a "bag with holes."
The 10% Shift: Whether it’s 10% of your morning, your income, or your energy—practice giving the "first cut" to God’s work this week. Please remember to give yourself the grace God unconditionally gives. When I first started with this in my own life reality hit hard of how difficult it can be! Giving up social media, giving to a church,, sitting still, it is a change that can be difficult.
A Prayer for the Weary Builder
"Lord,
I must admit that I am tired. I have been running as fast as I can, trying to fill a bag that feels like it has a hundred holes in it! I’ve been trying to outrun my anxiety with my activity, and I’m realizing today that I can’t build a life that satisfies me if I’m building it without You. I choose today to stop blaming my 'bad luck' or my busy schedule, and instead, I 'consider my ways.' I hand over my 'bags with holes'—my finances, my career, my family, and my health—and I ask You to be the Foundation. Lord please, mend what is broken in my spirit. Give me the courage to stop building my own 'paneled house' and the wisdom to start building Your Kingdom first. Thank You for the promise that when I turn back to You, You are already there, ready to bless the work of my hands.
Amen."
Next time, we’re going to dive into the most important date in the book: December 18. We’ll talk about what it means to "mark the day" and why God doesn't wait for the building to be finished before He starts the blessing.