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Listen while you read: "God Of Our Fathers Whose Almighty Hand"1
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Psalm 119:36-37 – Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. (NLT)
He was looking for the worthwhile, and his discovery on January 24, 1848, changed the lives of thousands.
James W. Marshall was prospecting at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, USA, when he discovered gold. News of his find spread rapidly across the country. Over the next seven years, 300,000 people made their way to California. Half came by sea, and the other half arrived from the east by land, using the California and Gila River trails. Although a few became wealthy, most returned home with little more than they started with. Even more disappointing was finding what appeared to be gold, only to have the assayer declare it to be worthless pyrite or fool's gold.
I've never panned for gold or bought gold certificates, but I have been tempted to love money and the things that it can buy — many of which are worthless.
In and of itself, money is neutral. I can use it for good or bad. I can pay my bills or throw it away by gambling. I can buy food and carry it to a needy neighbour or buy the latest smartphone. I can save it for a rainy day or spend it as fast as I make it. I can invest all my extra money, hoping that it will reward me with a nice retirement nest egg, or I can invest some and use the rest to care for my family and promote God's work worldwide.
To his son in the faith, Timothy, Paul wrote, "Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable." (1 Timothy 6:17a NLT) As so many discovered after the stock market crashed in 1929, what is here one moment can vanish the next.
We should choose to store our treasures in heaven, as Jesus said. There, they are safe from thieves and the destructive elements of nature. When our focus is on loving and serving God through practical means, our rewards will be secure.
How can we search for what's worthwhile instead of spending our time on pursuits that will only disappoint?
Prayer: Father, focus our pursuits on things that will build us spiritually and enlarge Your kingdom on this earth. Amen.
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About the author:
Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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Thank you, Martin, for this message. GOD bless.
Blessings Martin. Thank you for your devotion today.
Thanks Martin, your devotional inspires hope. Blessings.
Thank you, Martin, for this reminder of what truly matters.
Amen, Martin, May we always seek to be a blessing for others. Blessings.
Thank you for your words today. Seeking after God and the things of God never disappoints.
Thanks, Martin! Good reminder of priorities!
(CA)
PS Happy 4th of July!
Good morning, Martin,
Thank you so much for your good words.
Blessings on this special day for you all.
A timely word, Martin!
It’s hard to see our own materialism until it fails us.
Thankfully, our Lord has offered true treasure!
Happy treasure hunting!
Amen Martin.
In North America, the pursuit of buying everything one can seems to be the biggest idol going. People spend money like waves rolling on the beach… endlessly… it boggles my mind.
Good Day Martin,
You have hit on life’s greatest challenge. Thanks for your devotional today and Happy July 4th to you and those you love.
(Texas)
Thank you, Martin, for your thoughtful, very encouraging words today. Yes, it certainly does us much better to take time and seriously heed words of the Lord than run off and do things that have no long-term good results. Blessings for these special writings you prepare.