Buy Gold

by R. Darke Victoria, B C., Canada | Category: General | Aug 1991

Are we giving advice from the stock market, or quoting the headline of a financial newspaper? Neither. It is the advice of Scripture; the very words of the Lord Himself during the dark days of the early Testimony. Aware of the earthly wealth accumulated by the Laodiceans, which placed them in the enviable position of needing nothing, He observed that they were miserable and wretched. What a condition for Christians to be in! Proof, indeed, that wealth alone does not provide happiness. "Buy of Me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich", counselled the Lord. Trade in heavenly currency and procure heavenly merchandise, was His suggested alternative (Luke 12:33).

One wonders if, when John recorded the message to the Laodicean Church, he thought back to those days so soon after Pentecost when he and Peter were confronted by the pleading beggar at the Temple's Beautiful gate. "Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk" (Acts 3:6). Years later Peter saw fit to remind those in God's spiritual house that silver and gold had no part in their redemption; only the precious blood of Christ could provide this.

Did the Lord actually hear them say, "I am rich" (Rev. 3:17)? Yet, they did not seem to recognize the effect of this on their spiritual lives. A facade may have satisfied them, but the One whose eyes are as a flame of fire, penetrated it. "Thou art ... poor blind ... naked", He charged (v.17). The city of Laodicea may have been ideally located for commerce and finance. But those in the Church of God, there were lacking in wealth, clothing, and eyesalve of divine origin. Their hearts' door was wide open to business, but it was closed to the One with heavenly gold, garments and medicaments. He was concerned about their return to Him, and later, as a last resort, He may have patiently knocked at the doors of their lavish homes, in the light of His plea: "If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (v.20).

One day, the sad word finis had to be written over the Church of God in Laodicea. The saints from there will ultimately face the Judgement Seat of Christ, as we shall. Then will be revealed how much divine gold, silver, and precious stones we have to our credit in the bank of heaven. Meanwhile, let us buy gold, divine gold.

R. Darke Victoria, B C., Canada | Aug 1991
General