Suppose you’re a contestant on a family TV game show. Here’s the question posed to your family:
True or False: All that glitters is gold.
The music starts. The clock ticks off the seconds. The discussion between your family members goes back and forth. Yes, no, maybe. Yes, you conclude, because that’s how the adage goes.
Mrrrrr. The music stops, the buzzer rings, and now the other family has the opportunity to answer the question. Taking less than a second to respond, they shout, “No. All that glitters is not gold!”
And just like, that they take home the grand prize: a gold nugget which, after all, is fake!
Though earlier versions exist, it’s Shakespeare’s Prince of Morocco in the play The Merchant of Venice who delivers the enduring, prize-winning line. (The word glisters was the original form of glitters.)
So, is gold without value? Absolutely not. Its color, durability, and conformity to shapes (i.e., for jewelry) has made it a much sought-after mineral. The fact that it is rare also enhances its value. Gold doesn’t tarnish or rust, and fire strengthens but doesn’t cause it to lose its value. And gold has a high monetary value—in the top five in the world.
At one time, the United States’ currency system was known as the gold standard. That meant, the U.S. dollar was backed by a specific amount of gold.
The Bible contains approximately 200 verses about gold. Here’s a few favorites:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psm.19:9-10, KJV)
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Prov.16:16, KJV)
If we go to Colossians 3:2 which was written more than a thousand years before Shakespeare’s thoughts on gold, God encourages us to “set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Could that be why one day very soon we’ll walk on streets of gold? God’s love for us is immeasurable, far above any precious metal, greater than anything we can imagine.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. (Rev.21:21, KJV)
Your post brings to mind words of the song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus." The specific line goes: "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold . . ."
My soul agrees with those words, and I say, "Amen."
Thanks for sharing, eMarie. As for me, I have never been a fan of jewelry and hardly ever wear any, so I don't think a lot about gold! The only items I ever owned made of gold were my engagement ring and wedding band.