"Let your conversation be without COVETOUSNESS." Heb. 13:5.

The word translated "conversation" means behaviorour manner of life.

Our manner of life then is to be without covetousness. But what is covetousness ? Scripture characterizes it as idolatry (Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5); and idolatry is an "abomination" in God's sight-one of the most heinous of the sins of men. How important therefore that we be clear as to what covetousness really is. Many limit it to the desire after what belongs to the neighbor. It is by no means its limit, though it surely ever trespasses against the neighbor in some form or other.

The clause which, in the same verse, follows the one we have quoted above, plainly defines covetousness by contrast:"Be content with such things as ye have." A man who is content with what he has is not covetous. It is the craving after more which is covetousness; and as money procures everything that human passion desires, money is the thing craved for until it becomes the god of the heart. Even under pretense of doing good with it, it absorbs the mind and takes place above God. So dangerous is this, and so ready to infect us, that we are warned against making it even a subject of talk. "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetous-ness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints " (Eph. 5:3).

Under the frightful development of covetousness of late years, earning an honest living is becoming
more and more difficult, which is liable to excite covetousness in God's people too. Our dear Saviour sought not after money, nor His followers, though they needed daily food as other people. Judas did, and we know his end. Let us choose to suffer rather than be found in any spirit or way of covetousness.

But what precious promises are throughout the Scriptures for those who seek not money, but God! Let such as truly trust Him, and are faithful in their appointed path, read what He says in Luke 12:22-31:they will feel safer with it alone than with a great bank account alone; and a bank account acquired in covetousness is alone indeed; it has not God with it.

To the world we leave its great money-makers and money-lovers to emulate their ambitions, and thus to gratify their love of power or of pleasure. We have, to emulate our ambition, the path our Saviour trod here, and the end He has reached up there. May we follow after that as earnestly as the men of this world follow after the other! Nor will this hinder in the least our faithful labor in every worthy and useful avocation, with the measure of success which accompanies faithfulness. Idleness and shiftlessness are no Christian virtues.

" If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." Ex. 33 :15.

In Luke 17 there are ten lepers cleansed by the Lord, but only one out of the ten "returned to give glory to God." The nine were satisfied with the blessing, and thought little of the Blesser; the tenth appreciated the grace of the blessing, and turned back to the Blesser, whose company was more to him now than all else. Such was Moses. God had threatened to leave the people because of their wilful ways, and to send His angel to guide them instead of His presence. Moses cannot endure this. To him, blessing without the company of the Blesser is nothing. He must have Jehovah Himself; he must be sure that His presence is there:without this, blessing is nothing, success has no charm, Canaan has no attraction, life is not worth having. What makes Israel the object of his affections is because they have been chosen by God, that they belong to God, that God is among them, and that what He is linked with their destiny.

Oh for more in our day of that single eye which can enjoy nothing apart from communion with God! which will not move without the assurance of His presence. What freedom it would give us from the sorrows, shame and toil caused by proud and restless men who ever seek something for themselves among the flock of Christ, and ever find a response in them who are like them.

The Scriptures.

Whence but from heaven could men unskilled in arts, In several ages born, in several parts, Weave such agreeing truths ? Or how, or why Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie ? Unasked their pains, ungrateful their advice, Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price. DRYDEN.