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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