Gold

Recently, I went on a little search to learn more about gold. It is a very popular internet topic. Wanting to learn more about the processes surrounding this element, I watched YouTube videos, read articles and learned several facts I had not known about it.

Gold is considered a precious metal. Sought after since ancient times, it is highly valued in our society; its value one of the most frequently watched predictors of world economic conditions. Gold usually is found mixed in with other metals, but can be reduced to its purest form through a process of refining. The refining process most frequently involves using extreme heat to separate the gold from other metals. There seems to be some debate, even between scientific minds, as to whether or not gold can be heated to the point at which it evaporates. Affected very little by either oxygen or water, it is considered to be one of the most durable of all metals.

So here is the nugget which started my search about gold:

In this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold,
which perishes even though refined by fire –
may be proved genuine
and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)


First question: Even scientists seem to debate whether or not gold can be evaporated, so why does the Bible talk about it perishing? I read one article that suggested the passage in 1 Peter chapter 1 is talking about the fact that the Bible tells us eventually everything on earth will perish.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Matthew 24:35

Jesus talked about the earth perishing. One day, all that we know on this planet will be gone. Even the gold, that scientists now debate its destructibility, will eventually be gone. But the Bible tells us that something will be left behind. Our faith.

Second question: The Bible acknowledges the worth assigned by the world to gold, how does that really compare to intangibles like faith? Gold is a very valuable substance in our world. You may be picturing objects which can be enjoyed, but affect little change in our world such as pretty jewelry, etc. Yet, gold can be used as currency to affect serious change such as feeding the hungry or providing fresh water wells in countries where children die of water borne illnesses. The value of gold we can get our brains around, but sometimes placing a value on our faith is not so easy. So Peter compares a substance we can understand with one we may know little about. Gold, the substance we do understand, is a very valuable one. But the Bible tells us there is something more valuable than gold: Our faith.

Third question: Gold’s refinement occurs in fire – very hot fire. I do not sleep very well if the temperature in our house gets above the mid-seventies. So how do I find peace, or even learn to rest and sleep, in the midst of the fires (trials) that come into my life? What happens when the heat gets turned up in our lives? Refinement occurs in gold under fire. Refinement of our character can also occur under fire. The Bible tells us what is ultimately refined in trials: Our faith.

What is our faith? It is nothing more and nothing less than our living, breathing relationship with the God of the universe. It is our simple acceptance of His son Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our sins and turning over of our life to Him. All we have to do is ask Him. It is becoming a part of His family. Being adopted. Becoming His princess.

Gold had a lot to teach me this week. Many of the things I now hold valuable are not lasting, but my faith is lasting. More valuable than anything I own or treasure is being a part of God’s family – His princess. My relationship with Him, my faith, will become even stronger when it is refined in the fiery trials that are a real part of life in this world. What today, my friend, is God wanting to teach you?