All that Glitters isn’t Gold

“There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” Proverbs 13:7 NKJV

In a story titled “6 Arrested for Stealing ‘Gold’ Medals at Mumbai Marathon” published last week, it was reported that over the weekend, six were arrested in India after stealing 2,200 finisher’s medals that the thieves believed were actual gold. The crew pilfered the medals from boxes scattered across various tents at the Tata Mumbai Marathon. During the marathon, police officers noticed a group of third-party workers hired for the event carrying large sacks out of the tents, who attempted to avoid the officers…“The laborers were engaged in installing tents and fixing banners. The accused thought the medals were made of gold and decided to steal them,” Pravin Munde, deputy commissioner of police, told the paper. 

And you know, as this story clearly shows, all that glitters clearly isn’t gold. This principle of things not always being what they appear to be is one Solomon talked about when he said, “There is one who pretends to be rich but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.” G. Campbell Morgan wisely explained the proverb this way, “Our own age abounds with men who have made themselves rich, and yet have nothing. They have amassed great wealth, and yet it has no purchasing power in the true things of life. It cannot insure health, it brings no happiness, it often destroys peace. To make self rich, is to destroy the capacity for life. To make self poor, by enriching others, is to live.”

So knowing that living the “good life” doesn’t mean living for one’s self as the world would define a “good life,” make it your life purpose to serve Christ by serving others my friend. You may not amass great wealth on this earth but you will happier than you ever thought possible and will inherit priceless treasures in heaven. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that worldly possessions can never fulfill a person’s desire for contentment. Only a relationship with You can do that. Help us to truly understand this principle Lord so that we might live differerently from the world. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!