* vs 10-14 - God had just encouraged them to keep doing the work even though the temple wasn’t as glorious as Solomon’s.

* Two months later He talks with them about “how” they are to continue the work.

* Some of them were defiled but still working on the temple, which wasn’t good.

* They needed a little rebuke, so God poses two scenarios:

* 1) Holiness (vs 12) - something that is holy CANNOT transmit its holiness to anything else.

* 2) Defilement (vs 13) - something that is defiled CAN transmit its defilement to something else.

* His point - the people working on the temple could defile it by their uncleanness.

* They needed to live holy lives while they were working - they needed “holy work!”

* vs 15-19 - God then reminded them of how their unclean living negatively affected their work in the past.

* But He reminded them if they work holy He will bless them.

* “How” you do your work is what commands the blessing.

* The work itself isn’t as important as how you do it.

* God wants us to work from pure hearts that are devoted to Him.

* If we mow a lawn with a thankful heart that is devoted to honoring God He accepts our work as worship.

* But if we do it just for money it is not worship.

* Let’s make our work our worship.