In 530 B.C. Haggai encouraged the Jews to renew their efforts to rebuild the temple and make it a priority despite their difficulties, so that they could receive the blessings promised by the Lord. He reminded them that they continued to struggle to feed their families, keep their homes, and have clothes enough to keep themselves warm. The populace had difficulty donating their efforts to build the temple, because they were struggling all the hours of the day to make ends meet. Through Haggai, the Lord told them the land was cursed for their sakes, that if they would simply put the kingdom of God first, and get to the work of building the temple, the land would bear fruit with less effort. This same example applies to us today, concerning the principle of tithing.