THE GOLD STANDARD

At one time in America our paper money was backed by a fixed value in gold and silver and could be exchanged for precious metal coins or bullion at any time. But as we are all aware those days are long gone. We have watched the price of gold go higher and higher over the past several years, but in reality gold is not becoming more valuable, our paper money is loosing its value at a high rate. Many people in an attempt to preserve their wealth are trading their dollars by the millions for gold and silver. We hear of people being robbed on the street having their gold necklace literally ripped from their neck. Others have fallen prey to the fraudulent practices of some who offer cash for gold.

Even the value in precious metals such as copper has unleashed a wave of thefts. One report was men disguised as maintenance workers ripped off miles of copper wiring used to power the street lights along a section of freeway. Catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles parked in a metro park and ride. The thieves get a few dollars for the platinum found inside while the car owner is left with a whopping bill to have it replaced.

The main point I want to make is, just as we no longer have a gold standard that anchors the value of our currency in America, many and maybe even most people have lost site of all value standards. Our rush to get rich and be among the wealthy has caused us to loose track of the true value and meaning of life. I realize this is not true with all people but I would have to guess it has reached a majority. Just as the American dollar is loosing value and respect around the world we have lost value and respect for many of our guiding principals. It used to be that we would treat our neighbor as we would want to be treated. The golden rule used to have some meaning but any more it’s he who has the gold rules.

The golden rule was a kind of gold standard that we could also call the God standard. It was His idea in the first place but there again we have traded the fixed value of good relationships for the temporary value of stuff. The God standard is very simple and straight forward, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. These two standards are inseparable. One is dependant upon the other. I can not love God if I do not love my neighbor who is made in the image of God. I can not love my neighbor the way God intended unless I love Him first. Love comes from God and if we think we can love without Him we are fooling ourselves.

It is also evident in America that we have repeatedly distanced ourselves as a nation from the God who is the very source of love. We have removed prayer and anything that acknowledges God from our schools and other public places. It is an indication of what we truly value in this country. We chase after fortune, fame and pleasure as a thing of great value but usually in the process we leave a trail of discarded relationships in our path. The true golden standard for this life is too often kicked to the curb in search of something that passes away and disappears like steam from a boiling pot.

I think we all would like to see our money become stable and have a long term predictable value again. It can only happen by returning to the gold standard of old. In the same way it would be wonderful to think people in our society would highly value relationships so not to violate others in the process of gaining temporary wealth. True value is only found in relationships. We can only understand the value God places on relationships by looking at what He did on the cross. He gave His only begotten Son in exchange for us. He paid a debt that we had no ability to pay and has set us on equal standing with His only Son Jesus. We were not purchased with corruptible things such as silver or gold but by the precious blood of Christ.

Mankind was designed and made to worship. Worship is ascribing value to someone or something. We can get really excited as we dream of what money will enable us to do but it is God that enables us to reach true fulfillment in this life. We will love and worship the thing we most highly value. God designed us to worship Him above all else but as we know other things such as wealth take His place. Money and our pursuit of it becomes most highly valued because we think we can not live without it. I myself have wrongly confessed that without money I can do nothing. That seemed to be true to me because I did not have a proper view of God or my relationship with Him. I observed everyone obtaining their life’s dreams as a result of gaining money. Most of it was borrowed but what difference did that make they were doing well. I got my eyes off God and onto money as the source of my happiness. I have to admit that gaining money at one time in my life was more important than gaining a good relationship with God and my neighbor.

God is by no means against us having wealth, in fact He enables those who are in covenant relationship with Him to gain wealth and take a spoil from their enemies. As Christians, our enemies are not other people but the spiritual forces of darkness who rule over earth’s wickedness. The most valuable spoil we can take in battle is the souls of men who are taken captive by the devil. It is time for Christians to realize what is truly valuable it is what Christ paid such a high price for. We all need to return to God’s gold standard placing the highest value on relationships which last forever. Our value system should lead us to fill our nets with the souls of men and women and spend all the gold and silver we can get our hands on to facilitate the process.