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Haggai 2:8

The Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The silver and the gold: a sermon on money.

I. A FORGOTTEN TRUTH RESTATED. That God is the sole Proprietor of money: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts" (cf. ). The proof lies in three things; that the silver and the gold are:

1. Of God's making. They belong to him as part of that earth and its fulness which he hath created (; ), as David acknowledged in his prayer, "All that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine;" and again, "Of thine own have we given thee" (, ).

2. Of God's giving. God claimed that he had multiplied Judah's silver and gold (); and David owned that "all things," including "riches and honour," were of him (). The same sentiment is involved in the words of the Baptist (), in those of Paul (), and in those of James ().

3. Of God's keeping. As no man can obtain wealth from other than God, so with no help but his can man retain the wealth he has got. "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watcheth in vain" (). Nor can any one keep it longer than God chooses. At any moment can he recall what he has given.

II. AN IMPORTANT INFERENCE DEDUCED. That no man is the owner of his money, but merely its selected steward, its casual recipient and temporary holder. What Benhadad of Syria said to Ahab of Israel, "Thy silver and thy gold is mine" (), expresses God's thought concerning millionaires and paupers alike; while the answer of Ahab, "My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have," exactly utters the response which every one possessed of silver and gold, whether much or little, should give to the Divine declaration. Few things are more difficult for men to realize than that that is not their own for which they have laboured, sometimes like galley slaves, and not unfrequently sinned The habitual attitude of men towards their silver and their gold is that of the rich farmer in the Gospels, "my fruits," "my barns," "my goods" (, ). A recognition of man's stewardship in respect of silver and gold would secure three things of immense consequence, both for the religious life of the individual, and for the moral welfare of the world.

1. A just estimate of money. As one of God's gifts, it would be highly valued, but as only a gift it would never be regarded as a permanent endowment, or preferred above the Giver.

2. A proper use of money. As a trust it would be carefully kept, wisely used (), faithfully administered (), and correctly accounted for (). It would not be prodigally squandered (), or in miser fashion hoarded (), or selfishly expended (), but skilfully, lovingly, and unweariedly employed for the Master's glory.

3. A right feeling with regard to money. Neither inordinate desire after it (), nor over esteem of one's self on account of it (), would arise in one's besom; but feelings of contentment with what one has received (; ), and of gratitude that one has received any ().

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