More Precious Than Gold
In a day in which the talk on the street is about economic crisis and global collapse, many are scrambling to secure their future by purchasing gold and precious stones. In times of crisis, these commodities seem to increase in value and present a sense of security. But this frantic pursuit of self-preservation comes at a high price, for soon one finds himself serving the lord “Mammon”, (creation), rather than the Creator. Our time is filled with activity and our mind has no peace. Jesus said that we cannot add a single hour to the span of our life, no matter how hard we try or how much money we accumulate. (Mat. 6.27) Being motivated by self-preservation produces anxiety, and anxiety produces negative consequences in one’s body, emotions and mind.
Jesus said there is a better way to live, and that is by seeking first the Kingdom of God. (Mat. 6.33) Our motivation in life is to seek His interests and will, rather than our own and to not put our trust in the uncertainty of riches. When we put out trust in the Lord, there is peace; knowing that He will care for us. Instead of serving the “master” money, we are free to access heaven’s resources. We can relax and enjoy the journey of life. There things that are more precious than gold.
David writes in the Psalms that the fear of the Lord, His Word and precepts are all more precious than gold. (Ps. 19.7-10) He was a man who sought to please the Lord with his all his life. From his youth onward, David longed for the courts of the King. As he kept his mind steadfast on God, the Lord ordered is steps and brought him from obscurity to renown, from poverty to riches and from persecution to honor. He was rewarded for seeking first the Kingdom of God. His motivation in life is summed up in the last verse of Psalms 19: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
When I married my wife, she gave me something that was more precious than gold. From her youth, Helen decided to guard her heart and body for the man she would marry. At the age of 10, she made a vow to God that she would only say, “I love you” to just one man. We met in the Fall of 1971 at Northwest Nazarene University. Our friendship began to grow as we studied together and participated in Bible studies. I took her on our first date in February of 1972 and as I was bringing her back home, I said to her that I loved her. She looked at me and asked what that meant to me. I had expected a kiss, not a question. I had said, “I love you” to many girls and it seemed to work to get what I wanted, but not Helen. These words were precious for her and meant commitment, covenant and faithfulness. She was ready to give me her love, but I wasn’t ready to receive it. I had diluted the meaning of love by my selfishness and substitution of other things as being more precious. Two months later, I was ready. God had worked in my heart and all I desired was to marry this wonderful woman. I asked her to marry me and then she gave me what was more precious than gold. She told me that she loved me.
What is more precious than gold to you. Are you after what will perish or what money cannot buy? Are you willing to walk away from the temporal to lay hold of the eternal? Is your heart single? Is the Lord first in your life? What motivates you? What gets you out of bed in the morning? Paul wrote to the Roman church that the Kingdom of God was more than eating and drinking, but was righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14.17) All these things are more precious than gold.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalms 19; Mat. 6.25-34; Phil. 4.19; Ps. 20.7; Rom. 14.17