More Precious Than Gold
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I have always wondered what the fuss about gold is. What makes it so important for jewelry? Why do people value gold so much? Why is gold medal the most prized? Why have central banks used gold to back their currency? Why do people protect their gold so carefully? Why do people rush their investments into gold anytime they feel insecure? Why do nations and individuals buy and hold gold as a tangible way of storing value, and as a hedge against inflation? Why is gold so popular?
Gold is prized because of its properties, its rarity and its popularity. It is a metal, just like copper, iron or aluminum; but gold is a lot heavier. Although it is heavier, it is also softer than most metals. You can actually leave bite marks on pure gold with your teeth. But its most important property is that it does not react with oxygen — what scientists call “oxidation.” In simple terms, it does not rust, dull or fade like other metals.
The rarity of gold also makes it very prized. It is believed that all the gold in the world will fit into a four-story building in the form of a cube! Gold is rarely found in its pure form. It is always mixed with other substances like quartz. In the mixed form, it is called “gold ore”. The ore has to be crushed, and the gold extracted using one of several methods developed over the years. Even alluvial gold — the gold that had eroded out of gold deposits in the earth and found in river and stream beds – does not come easy. It has to be obtained through a process called “panning.”
Gold is popular because it is both beautiful and useful. It is used in jewelry for its beauty, used in coins for its value, and used in electronics because it conducts electricity excellently. Every computer has a little gold in it!
At the time of writing this article, one kilogram of gold, which is about the length of an adult palm, half the width, and thickness of the thumb, costs $59,181 (fifty nine thousand, one hundred and eighty one US dollars)!
But when it comes to our faith, Bible says it is more precious than gold; that even gold perishes!
READ 1 Peter 1: 6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1: 6-9 NKJV)
This text about faith, as part of the letter written by Peter to the believers in exile, is very instructive. He was talking about how the believers were born into a living hope, and an imperishable and undefiled inheritance; which was being kept in heaven, guarded and protected for them (vv. 3-5). He told them to rejoice in this hope, though they may be grieved by trials for a little while. That the genuineness of their faith, which is much more precious than gold that perishes, would be found; to the praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus, whom they have not seen, yet they loved!
To put this in perspective, Peter was the one who confessed Jesus as the Christ (Matt. 16:15-20), yet denied Him (Matt.26:69-75); He was the one who said he would lay down his life for Christ (John 13:37-38), but the one who later said he was not Jesus’ disciple (John 18:17), and decided to go back to fishing (John 21:3).
Peter had seen it all: excitement and disappointment, faith and doubt, optimism and hopelessness. But in the end he realized that faith in God won; and would boldly tell the believers in exile (displaced, harassed and persecuted) to hold on to faith; which he said was more precious than gold!
We are in the last month of 2020, the year that changed a lot of things! How has it been for you? What have you lost? How has it affected your job, your business, your home, your finances, your relationships, and your family? As believers, Apostle Peter, who was with Jesus; tells us we have something more precious than gold.
We can lose all the gold of this world, but the most tragic loss we can encounter is the loss of our faith; which, according to Apostle Peter, is more precious than gold!
If ever asked to show anything for all your toils, show your faith!
MEMORY VERSE
“But he knows where I am going.
And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”
(Job 23:10)
QUESTIONS
- How has 2020 been for you?
- Has your faith exceeded the gold standard?
PRAYER TIP
Almighty Father, Creator of all
things, please help us not to
lose our faith; even if we
lose all gold!
CREDITS
# HOW STUFF WORKS, “How Gold Words,” https://science.howstuffworks.com/gold.htm
# THE PHILADELPHIA ENQUIRER, “How Stuff Works: How gold works,” https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/personal_finance/071509_how_gold_works.html
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.
God richly bless you.
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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