Silver or Gold

Acts 3:6 - Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Nothing in this world is more valuable than the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He is far more precious than anything we could ever physically put our hands on. There are many references to this in His Word.

This scripture discusses a lame man who needed something more than what the world could offer. And he allowed himself to believe in the One who could give it to him. This man got up, his ankles and feet being immediately strengthened, and he walked. And He followed Christ. He praised God for this miracle.

We can all have a miracle in our lives if we so desire. that miracle is Christ Himself. Only those who have received Christ, and not necessarily through a physical healing, although it can happen, realize that something has happened in their life. A change took place. Jesus healed and fed thousands so the people would believe. Yet Jesus said this to Thomas: ...because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29) A miracle...not seeing but believing.

Jesus is more valuable than silver and gold. This lame man might have needed the alms, but he received much more that day. Had he been rich he would not have been at that gate to receive healing and perhaps would never have seen a need for Christ. And God didn't even have to be present to heal. Only the power of His Spirit in and through Peter.

So what next? Did Peter take credit for this healing? No. He said it was no power of his own nor any of his own godliness but Jesus, whom those who had witnessed the lame man rise and walk, had crucified. It was a perfect opportunity to preach the Gospel and how this lame man just believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and was healed. Repent was the next thing Peter said. Despite all the people had done and what they believed, they could still do that and be forgiven.

There is a commercial I've seen about how we should be investing in gold so we can "protect our money from the problems of the world." When I heard those words I cringed. The problems of the world will never be totally eliminated until Christ returns and all forms of evil are gone. No amount of money will ever be the cure all. It might satisfy for a time but it cannot do what He does. Jesus is the best gold we can invest in.

This is what God tells us:

Wisdom is the better choice: Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; (Proverbs 8:10)  How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Proverbs 16:16) (Because) in the light of the king’s (King's) face is life, and his (His) favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. (Proverbs 16:15) - Solomon

Jesus is the precious life we can have: Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” (IPeter 2:7)  Jesus is the chief cornerstone in our lives if we do not reject Him: In Him we have life...more abundant life (John 10:10)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20) - Jesus.

I think I mentioned the other day how when we have, and abide in, Jesus, it's the one thing that cannot be taken away from us...unless we choose to give Him up. Otherwise He's always there...in life and in death. Know Jesus, know the Word, which Word brings life because it's wisdom and knowledge. Get it?

Those account for more than the things we accumulate, our treasures. The treasures in heaven are far more valuable than what we have on earth. Jesus should be our Treasure. This Treasure outshines the gold or silver we hold in our hands and trust in. These words should be our truth: In God We Trust. If we are not storing up our treasures in heaven, our protection (in the form of gold or silver or things) amounts to nothing.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. ...the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the (same) word which by the gospel was preached to you. (Isaiah 40:8, 1Peter 1:25) ...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... (1Peter 1:7)

Hear these words. Glory in this revelation of Jesus Christ! Take in wisdom and shake off ignorance. Let Him open blind eyes and deaf ears. Be like the lame man and believe in the One who is a greater Treasure. Remove the thought of trusting in gold (or silver) to be protected from the problems of the world.

Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord...

Gold, Silver or Jesus?

Proverbs 8:10, 19 - Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.  

I am reminded often about something that occurred in Arizona. I was headed out to run an errand one day in Arizona. As I drove along the hilly, winding road in the Gold Canyon neighborhood I noticed a house being built on top of a prominent hill. The house seems to extend from one end of the hill to the other. It is huge. 

I felt sorrow in my heart. Is this true happiness, having the most extrusive home in the community? I didn’t feel disgust, I just felt sad. 

Later in the week as my shuttle driver was running me to the airport he said he wanted to show me a house he'd been watching over the past few months. It was the same house. He explained that it was 40,000 square feet. (This seems to be debatable.) The clubhouse at the golf course this house is being built on is 40,000 square feet! 

God provides for us, and will provide for us, as I’ve mentioned before. Sometimes provision comes in monetary ways. It's how we use that sort of provision that is important. God provides but He expects us to be stewards of what He has given us. I don't know who is building the house or how many people will live there. I just feel sadness because I know that our stuff isn't really what makes us happy. I wonder how happy these people are, or think they are? I know people buy because it gives them temporary satisfaction. But that satisfaction is never truly achieved so they spend more, seeking more. That’s where Jesus comes in...

I have to admit I grew up having everything and anything as a child. It was the only way, I believe, my parents knew how to show their love. I didn't realize it at the time because I was happy having all my stuff, but I lacked the hugs, encouragement and a happy, loving family home.

I’m guilty of buying sometimes when I don’t need something. I’m also capable of putting things in a cart and then putting things back when this nagging feeling comes over me that I just don’t need it! And I rarely buy anything for its full price. I just can’t do it often. 

What’s really important in life? I think of what John 12:25 tells us: He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If we love what we have on earth but forsake the knowledge of God, we will lose our eternal lives; if we don’t place such a high regard on our stuff in this life and grow in our knowledge of and place our utmost importance in God we will have eternal life. Knowing where we will spend our eternal life is more important than all this stuff which will be of absolutely no importance. Simplifying our stuff and lives and knowing which to choose is the best bet. 

So where do I start? My biggest vice is books. Just ask my husband! Some books I may never read but at the time I purchased them there was a real "need" to have. I don’t know what it is. I have mentioned this before, I think. I remember contemplating which books I would absolutely want to take if I had to limit myself. Which would be the most important to me? A little voice said, There’s only one Book you really need to have. It’s the one that tells us what is most important in life. It tells us about Jesus, about the freedom we have in Him, having the wisdom of God implanted in our minds, in knowing His truth, how mourning is turned into joy, how death is turned into life...without stuff.

What’s important? Is anything you have or own, including people, guaranteed to last? Don’t we all know that anything can be taken away in a heartbeat? Look at all those devastated by tornadoes. Do we know that we know Jesus? Do we know that if we have Him, we have it all? Do we find what He has to offer is more precious than silver or gold? Isn't our eternal life worth more than anything we have on this earth? Can we grasp this concept? 

Wisdom in our choices is what's important. It determines our lifestyle. Our life on earth is only temporary. We came into this world without stuff and we will die without stuff. The most important thing is knowing that Jesus bought our lives with His blood...and He wants to share that life with us through relationship with us. 

This world is changing and it’s not all for the good, unless one gets to a place where we fully put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone. Then nothing that happens in this world matters because we know our lives are secure in Him. 

If we like stuff because it makes us feel important or we want to stand out, we’ve got it a bit backwards, according to God. It’s not about how important we think we are in this world, but how important we are in His eyes when we have given ourselves to Him. He tells us the first will be last and the last first, being a servant is better than being served, humility outweighs pride. This is what Jesus was and what He teaches us to be. That, to me, is worth more than silver or gold. Jesus and what He did for me is more important than all other things.

BTW, the house in Arizona seems to be on hold. Causes one to wonder why. Thankfully, our house in Heaven already exists and there’s a place for us now if we have the Lord Jesus as our Savior.

1Peter 1:17-20 - ...conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here [on earth] in fear [reverent fear of God]; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.