Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THERE IS GOLD IN THAT DIRT!

“And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good. . . “ Gen. 2:10-12.

Much gold has been extracted from that land of Havilah over the millenniums

of time.

More recently, much gold has been extracted out of California and Alaska. But, nowadays, “All the gold in California is in a bank in the middle of Beverly Hills in somebody else’s name” as the popular song writer wrote. Still, the prospect of gold ignites a fever among men who expend all they have, often their very lives, too, to garner it. That fever was strong enough to cause Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism to leave potholes all across New England States where he dug for gold, culminating in his fabricating golden plates that became the cornerstone of Mormonism. Sure enough, here and there, there was gold in that dirt.

Gold is the ultimate possession of wealth; it is the desired standard of behavior, product, or service. When silver, bronze, or other substance or standards are in the offering, the classic cry is “Go for the gold!”

However, there is another form of dirt, and there is another form of gold resident in that dirt. The gold there is more durable and precious than the metallic gold in far away hills. The dirt of which I speak is that which is walking around in the form of human beings, and to which each one must return. The gold of which I speak is that treasure that can never pass away, be eroded, stolen, or devalued. It is the gold of the Word of God by which men are spiritually saved, matured in grace and knowledge, and made to rejoice in reward on the day of the Judgment Seat of Christ Jesus. It is the works of heaven’s approval that is actually referred to as gold, silver, and precious stones in I Cor. 3:9-16.

Referencing this treasure, Paul told the church at Corinth, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Cor. 4:7.

So, do you see that preacher man dedicated to preaching the truth? Do you see that teacher, deacon, or mom and dad filling the pews

243