“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:8-9)  This week’s Old Testament lesson comes from the prophet, Haggai who is seeking to encourage God’s people that the future is bright because of God’s faithfulness.  From this little unfamiliar book (to most of us) we may be reminded of a big, all-too-familiar problem that many of us encounter: the fear that our best days are behind us.  Let us not forget our former blessings and be encouraged just as those first hearers were encouraged: God’s resources are limitless.  Are we willing to trust the Lord enough that we begin to offer in a more faithful manner our “silver and gold” which God also owns?  Our future and our congregations’ futures are bright in relationship to our willingness to claim both the responsibility and the promises of our gracious and loving Lord.  This week, be encouraged and ask Christ to open your eyes in a new way to the prosperity which only he can bring.  Have a great week.