^{A Divine Construction Project}

^{Having owned and operated a construction company for many years, there is a clear line of process that each project involves.}

1. ^{There is a client that wants something built or remodeled}

2. ^{An architect designs the clients wishes, and helps value engineer it according the clients desires and budget.}

3. ^{Prints and specifications are produced, and given to contractors, to produce bids upon.}

4. ^{Project Managers are assigned from the General Contractor, and usually each particular contractor on site.}

5. ^{A Work and payment schedule is set.}

6. ^{Permits are issued.}

7. ^{Work begins.}

8. ^{Work is completed}

9. ^{A Final Inspection is performed}

10. ^{Final Payments (Retainage) is paid.}

^{These are general guidelines, but relevant as we read this passage of Scripture.}

^{2 Chron 24:*} So now the king ordered a chest to be made and set outside the gate leading to the Temple of the Lord. ⁹ Then a proclamation was sent throughout Judah and Jerusalem, telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses, the servant of God, had required of the Israelites in the wilderness. ¹⁰ This pleased all the leaders and the people, and they gladly brought their money and filled the chest with it.

¹¹ Whenever the chest became full, the Levites would carry it to the king’s officials. Then the court secretary and an officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and take it back to the Temple again. This went on day after day, and a large amount of money was collected. ¹² The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the construction supervisors, who hired masons and carpenters to restore the Temple of the Lord. They also hired metalworkers, who made articles of iron and bronze for the Lord’s Temple.

¹³ The men in charge of the renovation worked hard and made steady progress. They restored the Temple of God according to its original design and strengthened it. ¹⁴ When all the repairs were finished, they brought the remaining money to the king and Jehoiada. It was used to make various articles for the Temple of the Lord—articles for worship services and for burnt offerings, including ladles and other articles made of gold and silver. And the burnt offerings were sacrificed continually in the Temple of the Lord during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.

¹⁵ Jehoiada lived to a very old age, finally dying at 130. ¹⁶ He was buried among the kings in the City of David, because he had done so much good in Israel for God and his Temple.

So, we see a construction remodel conceived in the heart of the king and the priest Jehoiada. It was obvious that people were fully behind their leadership because offerings were taken, and came in quickly, so that their budget was met.

Obviously, the authorization for the design and permitting went through quickly, since the king and temple leader were the decision makers.

Revelation 1:

⁵ And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

⁶ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

Because this was a community project, for the worship of God and the glory of His kingdom, each person worked hard, and did the almost unheard of in construction, brought the project in on time, UNDER budget.

The overage, was not used to pad someone’s pockets, or buy the king a new chariot, rather went back into the work of God, for the glory of God.

How I wish church construction was all done this way!

It has been my experience that about 50% of the projects I worked on for ‘ministries’ went this way. There have been some that turned into nightmares, where churches ‘forgot’ important details of the design, and ‘expected’ me, as a contractor to perform the work for free.

In several cases, they had my men buy materials, and perform work that was clearly NOT in our contract, costing me thousands and thousands of dollars they refused to pay.

So, you learn to manage better, forgive, and give it all to Jesus…with a fresh understanding that in this life,

Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Hebrews 6:10

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

So, you offer up your time, material, and blood, sweat and tears, as an offering to Jesus, and move on, in love, recognizing that the people who did you wrong, have no real idea how hard you worked, or what you may have had to do on other jobs, to earn the money they stole, so that your workers can get paid…

That is why, when I read a survey of the what the number one requested requirement of CEO’s was, it was integrity.

Can’t find the original article, but this one is good: http://www.cvdl.org/blog/the-integrity-effect-why-who-you-are-matters-for-ceos/

What does integrity mean to me?

Simple, keeping my word, consistently.

Anyone with any kind of responsibility level, will honest admit, this is no small task.

Takes the grace of God, and a tight walk with Jesus to master this one, and I’m still in the fight, 25 years later: How about you?

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, give me the courage to walk clean, pure, and boldly before you, exhibiting strong leadership, through integrity. May I be careful with my words and actions today, as I both work, and set an example to my staff, family, and those you have called me to leave. How well I know, that to do this, I need Your help Lord Jesus, Amen’

For those who work in Construction, here’s a couple more articles you might like:

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/manhood-a-bit-of-redneck-righteousness/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/no-bull/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/the-warrior-heart-of-god/