Greater Than Gold
There can be few places on earth that have so many contrasts of scenery jam-packed into such a small area as the South Island of New Zealand. Whether you are a fan of snowcapped mountain peaks, rolling country plains, lakes or glaciers, God seems to have created this garden to emphasize His imagination.
Thousands of overseas visitors from far and wide pass through every year to explore this wonderland designed and created by God.
Gold rush!
In 1855, a different influx of visitors took place. They also came from far and wide, yet the scenery was the last thing on their minds. Their target was the newly discovered gold fields of Otago. Gold miners who had gained experience in California and in Ballarat, Australia, found themselves mixed in the surge toward this remote area alongside British miners and around 5,000 Chinese men who had left their wives and families behind. So many different people, but all with the same goal—to improve their position and gain a better standard of life.
Yet there is something more important than gold.
Skippers Canyon near Queenstown, New Zealand, was one of the more popular gold mines. The road winds around the cliff edge, threading its way deep into the canyon through rugged yet beautiful scenery. It must have been a struggle to build such a road by hand in such a remote area. The workers were obviously strengthened by the enormous pulling power of gold.
Yet there is something even more powerful than gold.
Toward the end of this narrow road lies a small graveyard where the journey for some of the miners came to an end. Poor living conditions brought fatal disease; others died because of accidents, while squabbles in lonely places led to murders. Many headstones show a single Chinese name—the name of someone who traveled so far to fulfill a dream and make a fortune in the hope of returning home and providing his family with a better way of life.
Gold mines of wisdom
Amazingly, there is something to be sought more than gold. While gold is precious, wisdom is more so (Proverbs 16:16 Proverbs 16:16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
American King James Version×). It is even free for the asking (James 1:5 James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not; and it shall be given him.
American King James Version×). Solomon pleased God when he asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-13 1 Kings 3:7-13 [7] And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And your servant is in the middle of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies; but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment; [12] Behold, I have done according to your words: see, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like to you. [13] And I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like to you all your days.
American King James Version×). His counsel was sought from far and wide (1 Kings 10:1-7 1 Kings 10:1-7 [1] And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. [2] And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. [3] And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. [4] And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, [5] And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. [6] And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom. [7] However, I believed not the words, until I came, and my eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: your wisdom and prosperity exceeds the fame which I heard.
American King James Version×), and his wisdom was shared to the benefit of others. Wisdom is linked to every action we may take (Proverbs 1:2-7 Proverbs 1:2-7 [2] To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; [3] To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; [4] To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. [5] A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels: [6] To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
American King James Version×). Only God has all the answers to the many situations we are involved in, all of which He is happy to pass on. Time and again God underlines wisdom as the treasure to dig for. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are gold mines of treasure where we are guaranteed to strike it rich. Taught wisdom through trials When wisdom is learned by study and revelation, it will be tested through trials to determine if it has taken root. Wisdom needs to be cemented into place through experience. We are also taught wisdom through trials, and even though wisdom is freely given, God doesn’t send it by courier post or in a box to be used at some appropriate time. If He did, wisdom wouldn’t stick; it would have no base to work from. When we ask for wisdom, we can expect trials because God needs to clear the way to install wisdom deep inside our authentic selves. Just as gold cannot shine until it is heated and refined to remove the dross (impurities), so trials are necessary to clear out the dross within us so wisdom can begin to shine in all our actions. Wisdom can then be called on at any given moment; indeed, it needs to be used constantly because the more we use it, the more it multiplies (Proverbs 3:14 Proverbs 3:14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
American King James Version×, New International Version). Wisdom flourishes through application. So the beginning of wisdom is to fear God and to have an understanding and listening heart. Wisdom will then begin to make inroads when we have given up all rights to ourselves. Pride and arrogance have no place at the same table with wisdom because wisdom needs to be protected against contamination (Proverbs 8:13 Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the fraudulent mouth, do I hate.
American King James Version×). Sometimes we may have a situation where it is within the law to take a certain course of action, yet it may not be prudent to do so. This is when wisdom needs to call on discernment to lend a hand. Every situation needs to be carefully assessed according to its own merits. Wisdom knows the right time and the right circumstances to apply the right principle to the right person. The gold miners in Skippers Canyon went through hardship to achieve their prize. We, too, need to go through trials; however, we also know God is watching over us and taking notes (1 Peter 4:17 1 Peter 4:17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
American King James Version×). When we struggle in a trial and are hurting, remember that God is massaging the heart to create a place for wisdom to fit into its perfect slot. The same God who created the wonderland of the South Island, who created the precious metal of gold, also created wisdom; this same wisdom He is willing to share, if we are willing to seek. Then we will shine, not like gold, but eventually like the brightness of the firmament in heaven (Daniel 12:3 Daniel 12:3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
American King James Version×). Recommended reading For more information about the wisdom found in the Proverbs, see the Bible Reading Program beginning with Aug. 30, 2006, available at http://ucg.org/brp.
American King James Version×). It is even free for the asking (James 1:5 James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not; and it shall be given him.
American King James Version×). Solomon pleased God when he asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-13 1 Kings 3:7-13 [7] And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And your servant is in the middle of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies; but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment; [12] Behold, I have done according to your words: see, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like to you. [13] And I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like to you all your days.
American King James Version×). His counsel was sought from far and wide (1 Kings 10:1-7 1 Kings 10:1-7 [1] And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. [2] And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. [3] And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. [4] And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, [5] And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. [6] And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom. [7] However, I believed not the words, until I came, and my eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: your wisdom and prosperity exceeds the fame which I heard.
American King James Version×), and his wisdom was shared to the benefit of others. Wisdom is linked to every action we may take (Proverbs 1:2-7 Proverbs 1:2-7 [2] To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; [3] To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; [4] To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. [5] A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels: [6] To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
American King James Version×). Only God has all the answers to the many situations we are involved in, all of which He is happy to pass on. Time and again God underlines wisdom as the treasure to dig for. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are gold mines of treasure where we are guaranteed to strike it rich. Taught wisdom through trials When wisdom is learned by study and revelation, it will be tested through trials to determine if it has taken root. Wisdom needs to be cemented into place through experience. We are also taught wisdom through trials, and even though wisdom is freely given, God doesn’t send it by courier post or in a box to be used at some appropriate time. If He did, wisdom wouldn’t stick; it would have no base to work from. When we ask for wisdom, we can expect trials because God needs to clear the way to install wisdom deep inside our authentic selves. Just as gold cannot shine until it is heated and refined to remove the dross (impurities), so trials are necessary to clear out the dross within us so wisdom can begin to shine in all our actions. Wisdom can then be called on at any given moment; indeed, it needs to be used constantly because the more we use it, the more it multiplies (Proverbs 3:14 Proverbs 3:14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
American King James Version×, New International Version). Wisdom flourishes through application. So the beginning of wisdom is to fear God and to have an understanding and listening heart. Wisdom will then begin to make inroads when we have given up all rights to ourselves. Pride and arrogance have no place at the same table with wisdom because wisdom needs to be protected against contamination (Proverbs 8:13 Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the fraudulent mouth, do I hate.
American King James Version×). Sometimes we may have a situation where it is within the law to take a certain course of action, yet it may not be prudent to do so. This is when wisdom needs to call on discernment to lend a hand. Every situation needs to be carefully assessed according to its own merits. Wisdom knows the right time and the right circumstances to apply the right principle to the right person. The gold miners in Skippers Canyon went through hardship to achieve their prize. We, too, need to go through trials; however, we also know God is watching over us and taking notes (1 Peter 4:17 1 Peter 4:17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
American King James Version×). When we struggle in a trial and are hurting, remember that God is massaging the heart to create a place for wisdom to fit into its perfect slot. The same God who created the wonderland of the South Island, who created the precious metal of gold, also created wisdom; this same wisdom He is willing to share, if we are willing to seek. Then we will shine, not like gold, but eventually like the brightness of the firmament in heaven (Daniel 12:3 Daniel 12:3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
American King James Version×). Recommended reading For more information about the wisdom found in the Proverbs, see the Bible Reading Program beginning with Aug. 30, 2006, available at http://ucg.org/brp.
