Have you seen the latest “gold medal count?”  Last I saw the US was tied with China for the most, but was clearly in the lead for the most precious metals.  

Did you know the actual value of the gold medal in 2024 is only $950?  They stopped using real gold in 1912 (they had only started in 1904). At the first “modern Olympics” in 1896 winners took home clocks, paintings, little statue awards (like a Grammy or Oscar), or even fancy cups. 

All of this got me thinking about our eternal reward – streets of gold, right?! (Rev. 21:21)  All of our hard work, the struggles we endure, and the training in righteousness we pursue each day will end with us on the podium receiving the best prize of all time!  

But we don’t have to wait until we die to receive a gold medal!!

• God Word is more valuable than fine gold (Psalm 19:10; 119:127)
• Rich King Solomon said that God’s Wisdom is better than fine gold (Prov. 8:19, 16:16).  And that wisdom is freely available for the asking.
• And Peter said that the faith we have, which is refined through trials, is much more precious than gold. (1 Peter 1:7) 
• Then there was the merchant who sold all he had to buy a field that had treasure.  Jesus said that He is the treasure worth selling everything for. (Matt. 13:44-46)

What’s your spiritual “gold medal count?”  

Do you feel as rich as the Bible says you are or do you feel like you got the “cup” award of 1896?  The Bible offers a solution.  God invites believers in Revelation 3:18 to “buy gold from me…so you can become rich”.  Wait, don’t you need to be rich first to buy gold?  Not the other way around?  I think God is saying, pursue the free gifts I offer (wisdom, Word, even trials) instead of striving earthly treasures and you’ll have all the riches you’ll need.  Let’s pursue spiritual treasure together!  

— Pastor Kyle