Gus Mackay, Parish Assistant, Largs and Cumbrae

God’s Word is more precious than gold.

I wonder if anyone watches a television programme on Quest called the ‘Aussie Gold Hunters.’ I love watching it.

It’s about different groups of people who buy a Miner’s Right Permit in Australia that allows them to prospect for gold. Each of them set a season target usually measured in troy ounces of gold. They use a variety of mining techniques which include the use of metal detectors on the surface or excavated soil for gold nuggets; and sluicing, dry blowing or heap leaching for gold particles. They often work in some of the remotest and harshest and extreme environments, in temperatures well above 40degC to try and achieve their dream which is to find a huge nugget that will set them up for life.

Apparently, it has been estimated that around 9,500 tonnes of gold is still lying underground waiting to be discovered.

There is no doubt that these prospectors are hoping to find a gold nugget like the ‘Welcome Stranger.’

The Welcome Stranger is a gold nugget, possibly the largest ever found in the world and weighed in at 78kg (gross weight), 71kg (net weight). It was discovered in 1869 in Moliagual, Australia by two men, James Deason and Richard Oates. At the time it was found it was worth 10,000 pounds – around $6.8 million in today’s money. A gold nugget this size would certainly set someone up for life.

However, there is another treasure far more precious than gold and much ‘more to be desired than fine gold’ (Ps19:10). That treasure is God’s Word found in the Bible. This is because in it and by meditation upon it you will find the best treasure ever – Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

When we think of God’s Word, we often think of something that keeps us from having fun. But that’s not the case. Obeying God’s Word makes us wise, gives joy to our hearts, gives light to our eyes, warns us and renews and refreshes us. God’s commandments are guidelines and light for our path rather than chains that bind us.

Only in the Bible will you find eternal life in Jesus. Finding him will bring someone much more joy than finding a large piece of gold because when you depart from this world you can’t take your gold with you.

Are you searching for treasures that don’t last or for Jesus?