All that glitters is not gold.
We’ve heard that so many times that it makes us roll our eyes. Yet, it’s true.
The Christmas tree sparkles through the windows, and inside, the twinkling lights make the room festive and bright. At the same time, we sit beside the fireplace, and all we can think of is the extra job we’ll work to pay off the bills for all the kids’ toys.
Our ring carries a two-carat diamond, and everyone admires the sparkle. The band, solid gold, is a tribute to the love we enjoy. However, when we go home at night, our bed holds only one, and we can only pray for our spouse to return.
All that glitters is not gold. How true that is! What’s depressing is that the same is true in the spiritual world.
Look first in 2 Peter 2:1-22. This passage talks about the false prophets who will arise among the people, leading them astray.
Those people are us, and that time is now. We cannot allow the sparkling gems of wisdom from the mouths of blasphemous teachers to force our feet onto the path to hell.
Next turn to Hebrews 13:5. Here we are told to keep our lives free from the love of money, and to be content with what we have.
Be content? We love more the sermons that let us name what we want to receive, for fine houses and glittering cars speak of the special dispensation of God’s blessings on our lives.
1 Timothy 6:10 reinforces the truth in Hebrews. Here we learn to keep our lives free from the love of money. If we crave it, we will surely wander away from the faith.
The problem with money is found in Ecclesiastes 5:10, where the writer tells us that he who loves money will not be satisfied with money, for to love money is vanity.
When our lives are about money, then we will trample over others to get it. The Golden Rule will be of no effect in our lives, and we will draw no one to Christ.
Proverbs is our handle on the situation. Proverbs 23:5 warns us that as soon as we see our earthly prize, it will be gone, sprouting wings toward heaven. Then Proverbs 13:11 tells us hasty wealth will run through our fingers, but if we are steady in the Lord, he will reward us with honest gain.
The sparkles in our eyes. What are they? Much more than diamonds and gold. They are bank accounts, position in the community, and job promotions that we feel are our due. They are those things that come between us and the Lord, even a much-desired high position in the church or righteous posturing before the sinner.
1 Peter 5:8 tells us how to clear the sparkles from our eyes:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
We cannot afford to let the devil’s meal be us. We cannot afford to risk our salvation for something temporary. We cannot afford to let the glittering sparkles of this world keep us from seeing Jesus clearly and in truth.
We must always keep our eyes on Jesus.
Let’s break out the eye drops, so that we can continue to see Jesus through all the muck the devil tries to throw at us.
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