As Gold, As Silver

What was of gold the captain of the guard took away as gold, and what was of silver, as silver. (2 Kings 25:15)

2 Kings 25:8, 15; Ps. 49:10, 62:10; Prov. 10:22, 23:5; Matt. 6:19-20; 1 Tim. 6:6-10

What Is God Saying?

Jerusalem was sacked and pillaged. The Chaldeans under Nebuzaradan, the captain of the King's bodyguard, raided the House of the Lord. They destroyed everything they could find of the dedicated vessels used in the Temple services. None of these items had any meaning or value to them, except for the gold and silver of which they were made. So, what they took away was gold as gold and silver as silver.

How Does This Apply To Us?

We desire gold and silver for their intrinsic value, but what is their worth? When we think of what gold and silver can do for us, we need to remember what gold and silver can do to us. That is precisely the point of Paul's counsel to young Timothy. ‘For the love of money (not money itself) is the root of all evil’ (1 Tim. 6:10).

Pray With Me

Dear Lord, the captain of the King’s bodyguard carried off the sacred appointments of the Temple. To them, the vessels held precious metal but no precious meaning. May I not use money just as money, but as a means to bless others and to glorify You. May I not use health of mind and body as a permanent possession, but as a tool in the hand of love. May I not use time as a commodity that I can spend as I please, with never a thought that it is God-given. May I not use my talents to glorify self, and forget their place in the work of Your kingdom.

Let gold be not just gold, nor silver just silver. Make me wise, Lord, in setting no value on the mere possession of things except as used in the service of your love and truth. I would see that everything is without meaning and value except as it is made to harmonize with the will of him who has redeemed us, not with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but with his precious blood.

In His name, I pray. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

We want to know how to best use our time, health, and talent. Gold as gold is good, but its true value lies in its usefulness. In prayer, we seek to know and obey God's will concerning the gold he has given to us for our use and his.