Two steady streams of bubbles rose above the divers digging in the silt and mud of the ocean bottom near Key West. Bubbles, silver bubbles, were steadily rising and bursting at the surface. Under the water, the divers stared unbelievingly at real silver solid silver in what looked like a reef of silver. No silver bubbles these!
Sixteen years of treasure hunting had paid off; they were looking at last at the Atocha treasure, lost in a hurricane in 1622. Hard years they had been; years of search and storm and sorrow. At least three lives had been lost in the search, including the son of the chief treasure hunter himself, but "it was worth it," he said, as he considered the $400 million worth of gold and silver to be recovered from the old wreck.
"Gold shines forever, dazzling, brilliant, blinding... I'm under the spell," he said.
Many, many others have been "under the spell." Gold fever is not new; witness the recurrent gold rushes in history. All through the ages men have fought and schemed and murdered and died for gold and silver, treasures of the earth.
Very recently there was another kind of "gold rush" when speculation and frantic trading pushed the price of gold up towards $1000 per ounce. The mining industry spent millions of dollars expanding their operation and opening new mines.
What happened? The price peaked at $850, and then began to slide down—down—down. Today it is a little above $300, but in some mines it costs more than that to mine an ounce. For many mines and miners the situation is critical, and they face an uncertain future if the market does not rise soon.
The Bible tells us not to "trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God." 1 Tim. 6:1717Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (1 Timothy 6:17). The Atocha treasure must be guarded day and night; otherwise that gold may be "dazzling, brilliant, blinding" in the eyes of a thief. The finders of the treasure may that "better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith." Prov. 15:1616Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. (Proverbs 15:16).
The truth is that even gold will not "shine forever." It can be melted by heat or chemical action and all its brilliance lost to view.
And, no matter what value gold and silver may have on earth, it is still true that "they that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him... that he should still live forever, and not see corruption.... Men die... and leave their wealth to others." And the reason: "For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever." Psa. 49:6-106They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. 10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. (Psalm 49:6‑10).
All the gold and silver in the world is not enough to redeem one soul. The soul who comes to the end of life with nothing more than gold and silver—or stocks and bonds—or bank accounts and other investments —will find too late that the redemption of his soul has ceased forever.
Christ died on the cross to redeem our souls so that now, even though "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," we can be "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:23, 2423For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:23‑24).
Freely—freely—FREELY! "Without money and without price" salvation is offered now to everyone, rich and poor alike. Believe it. Receive it. It is a treasure that will last forever.
"Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
Nor riches of earth could have saved my poor soul;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Savior now maketh me whole.
"I am redeemed, but not with silver;
I am bought, but not with gold;
Bought with a price—the blood of Jesus,
Precious price of love untold."