The Real Value of Gold

I was packing my husband's lunch for the day.
There was a shiny gold candy in its wrapper on the counter.
At 4:30 in the morning.
It looked all sparkly in the light from over the sink.

I've been reading the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp,
you should really see her blog http://aholyexperience.com/ ,
and the book is about eucharisteo and seeing God's blessings around you
and giving thanks.

So I look at the shiny gold wrapper
and I say that you Lord that you tell us Heaven
has streets of gold
even though I don't know why.
I'd never really been a girl who said, "Oooo, gold streets."
I'm more a country lane, cobblestone street kinda girl.
Little more farm and a little less flash.

But do you know what my heart heard
at 4:30 in the morning
that made me stand amazed?

"Because the world's treasures
are only good enough
for the dust of your feet."

If what the world calls valuable is
nothing more than building material--
gold, pearls, precious stones (Revelation 21:15-21),
what does He consider treasure?

What is truly valuable when it is seen in its true light?
What would He tell us to treasure?

"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-3

"He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Isaiah 33:6

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you,
not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today,
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,
how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink;
do not worry about it.
For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out,
a treasure in Heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near
and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:27-34

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts
to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power
is from God and not from us." II Corinthians 4:6-7


"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant
nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age,
so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:17-19

I don't know about you, but I'd surely like to take hold of a life that is truly life.
Because this frantic dash that we call life often doesn't feel like truly living.

Thank you God for a tiny glimpse of your truth
brought in a shiny gold wrapper.
May we see the world rightly today
see the costly things of this world in the proper perspective--
brick, cobbles, timber, layers under our feeet--
and what feels so common, so ordinary,
as the treasure it is.