A STORY is told of an adventurous miner who some years ago penetrated into the Death Valley in Colorado, U.S.A., and found the skeleton of another miner. A wooden pail was lying near it, and in the pail a chunk of gold of great value.
The miner got the gold. It cost him his life, and very likely his soul, to obtain it; he left the gold, with his bones beside it, as a monument of warning.
Dear reader, is there not a voice in this for you? What is your object in this world―surely a valley of death, where gold and dry bones lie side by side? Is it Christ, or gold, you are seeking? If gold, have you heard the Word of the Lord? “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37)).
The whole world! a chunk of gold of great value surely. But your soul is of more value. God asks you these two questions. Can you answer them? Did you ever try? Where is the profit?
I once asked a great astronomer this question. He could answer all questions which required great learning and intellect. His answer was, “I give it up.” He could answer it now, for he is in eternity. He was cut off in the midst of his days. Stricken with fever while traveling in the train, he was carried to an hotel; and passed, in an unconscious state, into eternity!
If your object is Christ, the “Wisdom of God,” then the “merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Prov. 3:14-1714For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:14‑17)).
Christ is God’s chunk of gold, of priceless value.
“Let His dear Name fill all our songs;
Let His sweet praise employ our tongues;
O let us sing, and sing again,
‘Worthy the Lamb, that once was slain.’”