MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD! (part 1 of 4)
It has been said that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, but of gold someone has said, “It is much better to have your gold in the hand than in the heart.” [Fuller] Though gold is held as precious and valuable, there is much that is more precious than gold. Join me over the next few days in meditating on some of the things the Scriptures help us see are more precious than gold!
The psalmist David stated his own attachment to that which he viewed as more precious than gold where we read. . .
“(9) the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. (10) More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:9-10 ESV)
And in the psalms we also find. . .
“[127] Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. [128] Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:127-128 ESV)
Do we also view God’s Word in that light? Do we see how it may be fine to hold gold in our hand, but the Scriptures are where the heart attachment is to be? God’s Word sustains in longer and better ways than gold. God’s principles enrich our life in greater ways than gold. God has given a “sure and altogether righteous” message in a purer form than in which gold is found. There is no “dross” to melt off. We can accept the Word as it is in all its God-given beauty. Therefore, like the psalmist, we should hold God’s Word dearer than gold. Gold is for this life. God’s word is precious for now and all eternity.
Have a great day WITH GOD’S WORD IN THE HEART!
Carl
MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD! (part 2 of 4)
Jesus told a parable about a rich fool (Luke 12:13-21) who was very rich in one sense yet destitute in another! Some who think they would have their problems solved if they just had more money would most likely never have enough money to solve their problems. In fact, they would most likely find some new challenges. (note 1 Timothy 6:10) There are people who may have lots of “cents” to live on, while lacking the “sense” needed to really live. Therefore, what else is there to focus on that is more precious than gold?
Note several statements from Proverbs where we read the following:
“(13) Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, (14) for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14 ESV)
“[10] Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, (11) for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. . . . . [18] Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. [19] My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.” (Proverbs 8:10-11, 18-19 ESV)
“(16) How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” (Proverbs 16:16 ESV)
Does the better choice sound clear? From “knowledge”, “understanding”, and “wisdom” come greater profit, the yielding of better returns, and more fruitfulness for the effort. With gold there is always a gamble as it can be stolen, its value fluctuates, and investments can go sour. However, there is no gamble in holding to the wisdom of God.
To be rich in worldly wealth rather than being rich toward God is the lowest form of poverty we could experience. May we allow God’s Word to enrich our life in the ways that help us truly live life to its fullest.
Have a great day REAPING THE RETURNS OF INVESTING IN WISDOM!
Carl
MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD! (part 3 of 4)
Those who possess riches have been given various labels. There are the “Extravagant”, the “Miser”, the “Snob”, the “Thief”, the “Tightwad”, the “Philanthropist”, etc. The reason for the name being noted could simply be because of the buildings they bought and on which their names appear. The reason they may be esteemed among men is because of those who are drawn to them only with the hope of gaining a share of the wealth.
I am not saying there is anything wrong with being rich. There are many wealthy people who possess a generous spirit. However, the Scriptures do acknowledge a number of challenges the rich face. (i.e. Matthew 19:23-24; I Timothy 6:9-10)
What is something else we can acknowledge as more precious than gold?
In Proverbs we read. . .
“(1) A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1 ESV)
Godly character is better than gold. It’s value does not fluctuate and it cannot be bought out! The wealth of character retains its high value in the lives of both the rich and the poor. And to be named as a “child of God” should be more desirable to us than all the riches of the world.
Have a great day RICH IN GODLY CHARACTER!
Carl
MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD! (part 4 of 4)
People place their trust in many things and in the process, God gets forgotten or ignored. They look to themselves — to their own strength, wisdom and resources — and think they can attain the greatest successes and victories on their own.
God, through the prophet Zephaniah, warned. . .
“[18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.” (Zephaniah 1:18 ESV)
Just as we cannot take our earthly riches through death’s door, neither can we gain our salvation by it. There is something far more precious than gold that has secured the hope of our salvation. It is the price paid by another on our behalf. We are the recipients of that which we least deserve.
Peter stated it this way. . .
“[18] knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (I Peter 1:18-19 ESV)
All the gold in the world is not enough to provide our redemption. All our good works or the works of others — though we had millenniums to live — are not enough to secure our redemption. It took the precious blood of Christ to make it possible. That of the greatest value was given to meet our greatest need and bring us into the greatest relationship we could possibly have.
Since we know this is what we have through our relationship to Christ, where have we placed our trust through all of life’s situations?
Peter also stated. . .
“[6] In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV)
May our trust continue in that which is greater and more precious than gold!
Have a great day TRUSTING IN THE MOST VALUABLE GIFT!
Carl
