I once read a news story about a 69 year old man who was a recluse and just lived alone. His neighbors had complained of a stench coming from his house. When the police broke down the door, they found him dead – he had been dead for at least a month, but because he hardly ever left the house or had any friends or family – no one had missed him. He had died of heart problems.
This poor man didn’t trust anyone, including banks, the government, medicine, etc., He had only $200 in his bank account. However, when they were cleaning out his house after finding him dead – they found over $7,000,000 in gold hidden throughout the house. They found gold coins, gold bullion, $20 gold pieces, and various other types of gold – enough to fill 2 wheelbarrows of gold.
This man didn’t trust anyone else, so he spent most of his money over the past many years just buying and hoarding gold. However, what good did the gold do him? He had been dead for a month before anyone even realized it. He had treasured something that did him no real good in the end.
Proverbs 2:1-5 tells us:
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
The main key to finding true joy and happiness in this life is to grow daily in our knowledge of God and in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For when we seek to know Him, to love Him, and to live daily for Him – everything else in our lives will fall into its proper place.
However, most of the time we put the affairs of this life ahead of our knowledge of God. We seek after stuff like gold, that while pretty to look at, and valuable in the eyes of the world, in the end – is just another metal.
Well, the writer of Proverbs tells us that there is something far more valuable and desirable than gold, silver, and even hidden treasure – and that is the knowledge of God! To truly know Him and His ways and to seek to follow Him.
Sure, sometimes, following after God and His commandments doesn’t make much sense when looked at through the world’s eyes. Saving up a bunch of gold would make more sense to many people. That is why we are told to not rely on our own understanding, but to rely upon the word of Almighty God and His promises.
Daily spend time reading and studying God’s Word, and spend time with Him in prayer! And don’t just hurriedly read through a couple of verses….no, spend time dwelling on them and applying them to your life. Memorize them, learn from them. I sometimes have spent a couple of days just reading one chapter over and over, because certain verses caused me to stop and think about my life and created a real desire to find what God wanted me to learn from them.
Go treasure hunting for the knowledge of God! The peace and joy that will bring you will be far far more valuable than finding gold bullion buried in your back yard, even more valuable than $7,000,000 worth of it!
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold…
Psalm 19:7-10
Have an Amazing Day with God!!