February 3

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:8

When we have asked the Lord to take, and continually trust Him to keep our money, shopping becomes a different thing. We look up to our Lord for guidance to lay out His money prudently and rightly, and as He would have us lay it out. The gift or garment is selected consciously under His eye, and with conscious reference to Him as our own dear Master, for whose sake we shall give it, or in whose service we shall wear it, and with whose own silver or gold we shall pay for it, and then it is all right.

What though the eastern monarch's robes are gleaming

With gold and orient gems, each gorgeous hue With more than rainbow brightness in them beaming; The robes of Heaven are woven light, and ever new. All these are beautiful; and we may love them As His good gifts; but oh! they pass away: Then cling not to them; seek, far, far above them The joys ineffable, which fade not, nor decay. To see, and know, and love, and praise forever The Savior who hath died that we might live, Where sorrow, pain, and death may enter never! And ever learn new cause, new songs of praise to give! Oh, what a prospect! How, how can we cling To earth's dark dream, when such a hope is given? Oh, may we from this hour, on faith-plumed wing, No longer cling to earth, but soar to you bright Heaven!