AT the close of a meeting I entered into conversation with a man who had been a gold miner. He told me that when he went to the Pacific coast, visions of gold gleamed in his mind; as life was before him he pursued the glittering phantom, thinking happiness and satisfaction were bound up in it.
“Well,” I said, “did it give you any lasting satisfaction?”
“No.”
“Well,” I continued, “did you ever know any one who was satisfied with riches, and to whom they gave rest of soul?”
“No; I never saw any one. Though I have found plenty of gold, I never found true happiness in it nor did I find peace. But while I say that of the gold that perishes, I thank God I have found satisfaction and joy for eternity, as well as for time, in Christ.”
“How would it be if you got all the gold the richest mines of California contain, and had not Christ as your Savior?”
“Why, sir, I’d say I was poor, most wretchedly poor. It is only since I came to Him that I have possessed true riches, as He says Himself in Revelation 3:1818I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18), ‘I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.’”
Here was the testimony of a man as a successful gold hunter in former years, and now in latter days as a Christian. Will you balance the joy of the one with that of the other?
Words utterly fail to describe the priceless gift of God purchased for us with the precious blood of Christ.
ML-01/11/1920