The hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be” contains the line “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” The lyric author, Frances B. Havergal, was a renowned musician and poet. She died in her early forties as an unmarried maid, but not before proving the legitimacy of this stanza in her song.
She wrote to a friend in 1878, “The Lord has shown me another little step, and, of course, I have taken it with extreme delight. ‘Take my silver and my gold’ now means shipping off all my ornaments [jewelry] to the church Missionary House, including a jewel cabinet that is really fit for a countess, where all will be accepted and dispersed of for me . . . . Nearly fifty articles are being packed up. I don’t think I ever packed a box with such pleasure.”- Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories, p. 101
We would be wise to emulate Miss Havergal, who lived what she wrote and sang. Our commitment to Christ will mature considerably if we give sacrificially and joyfully as she did.
Source: https://www.amazon.com/101-Hymn-Stories-Inspiring-Favorite/dp/0825442826
