First-fruits, also, should be thus specially set apart. This, too, we find running all through the Bible. There is a tacit appeal to our gratitude in the suggestion of them,--the very word implies bounty received and bounty in prospect. Bringing 'the first of the first-fruits into the house of the Lord thy God,' was like 'saying grace' for all the plenty He was going to bestow on the faithful Israelite. Something of gladness, too, seems always implied. 'The day of the first-fruits' was to be a day of rejoicing (compare Num. xxviii. 26 with Deut. xvi. 10, 11). There is also an appeal to loyalty: we are commanded to _honour_ the Lord with the first-fruits of all our increase. And _that_ is the way to prosper, for the next word is, '_So_ shall thy barns be filled with plenty.' The friend who first called my attention to this command, said that the setting apart first-fruits--making a proportion for God's work a _first charge_ upon the income--always seemed to bring a blessing on the rest, and that since this had been systematically done, it actually seemed to go farther than when not thus lessened. Presenting our first-fruits should be a peculiarly delightful act, as they are themselves the emblem of our consecrated relationship to God. For of His own will begat He us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures. How sweet and hallowed and richly emblematic our little acts of obedience in this matter become, when we throw this light upon them! And how blessedly they may remind us of the heavenly company, singing, as it were, a new song before the throne; for they are the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. Perhaps we shall find no better plan of detailed and systematic setting apart than the New Testament one: 'Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.' The very act of literally fulfilling this apostolic command seems to bring a blessing with it, as all simple obedience does. I wish, dear friends, you would try it! You will find it a sweet reminder on His own day of this part of your consecration. You will find it an immense help in making the most of your little charities. The regular inflow will guide the outflow, and ensure your always having _something_ for any sudden call for your Master's poor or your Master's cause. Do not say you are 'afraid you could not keep to it.' What has a consecrated life to do with being 'afraid'? Some of us could tell of such sweet and singular lessons of trust in this matter, that they are written in golden letters of love on our memories. Of course there will be trials of our faith in this, as well as in everything else. But every trial of our faith is but a trial of His faithfulness, and is 'much more precious than gold which perisheth.'