It’s Time to Buy Gold

Have you noticed the increasing number of commercials on TV and Radio, urging people to buy gold? On Tuesday this week, the Federal Government announced that the Federal debt hit $16 trillion, and is still rising at a meteoric pace. Why does it matter? Ultimately, excessive debt results in bankruptcy—for either a family or a nation. And when it even looks like this might happen, a country’s money loses its value, making things cost more, i.e., a price of a loaf of bread increases from $2 to $5. High inflation brought on by excessive debt was one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.

When inflation causes stocks, real estate, bank savings to be worth less, people buy gold—because gold will always have value. Gold has been the standard for currency since the beginning of time. The Bible affirms the gold standard—the heavenly Jerusalem is made of ‘pure gold’ (Rev. 21:18).

But the Bible often uses gold as a metaphor for that which has no lasting value. James says in the last days, gold and silver will be worthless (James 5:3). Peter says our faith is far more precious than mere gold (1 Pet 1:7). Jesus tells the wealthy Laodiceans to buy gold from Him.  His gold is a metaphor for faith which needs to be purified by fire, just like gold (Rev. 3:18). Inflation or not, it is always time to buy this type of gold and grow rich in faith!

Uncle Sam is on Life Support

Yesterday San Bernardino became the 3rd California city in a month to file bankruptcy. Last fall, Jefferson County, Alabama, filed the biggest municipal bankruptcy in American history. This week, to avoid bankruptcy, Scranton, Pennsylvania reduced every one of its salaried employees to minimum wage. Government employees who depend on Uncle Sam for their livelihood have reason to worry.

Many of you know that Uncle Sam paid my salary for 25 years, and now gives me a pension and Social Security benefits. Though I'm grateful, I wonder how long he’ll be able to keep it up. After all, he’s only human—eventually, he will die. In fact, he’s already on life support. But I’m not worried—a statement that has yet to be tested—because I know my Father, not my Uncle, is my Provider.

Anyone who thinks Uncle Sam is going to live forever is wrong! And if they (we) haven’t done it yet, it is due time to exchange faith in our Uncle for faith in our Father. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or what you will wear...your heavenly Father knows that you need them. And if you will seek first his kingdom all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:25-33). When Uncle Sam passes, a lot of his heirs will be very grieved, and worried that he was broke!  But surely not the children of God.  Right?