William Shakespeare quoted, “All that glitters is not gold.”
I must admit, I am one of those that like things that sparkle and shine. I would be one to quickly snatch up a shiny gold rock and closely examine it to see if it could possibly be real.
Also, I love dazzling diamonds (even if they are not real) and sequins on dresses and purses that shimmer in the light. I think the snow sparkling in the moonlight and from street lamps is beyond beautiful.
Additionally, I love the sparkling city lights when viewed from a distance. I love Christmas Cards that glitter (really, any card for that matter), and admire all the sparkle of holiday lights and tinsel. In fact, I’ll blame it on my childhood. I loved all the glitter and sparkle of Christmas from the pretty silver tree with colorful sparkly lights that Dad put up to the beautiful cards we would receive in the mail.
I was inspired to write this poem, “Fools Gold,” when I realized that I no longer wanted nor desired the things that fall in the category of fool’s gold. I have found as I have gotten older that I have become wiser. I’m not saying that I no longer enjoy sparkly things, I’m just not fooled by “Fools’ Gold,” nor have the desire to acquire all that sparkles. I may enjoy looking at it and admiring it in the light, but I know that these are all items we cannot take with us when we pass on from this earth.
I have come to realize (as many of us do over time) that the real gold … “wealth” … is in the friendships we’ve acquired. The special moments with loved ones. Sharing time with those in need. Taking time to visit those who cannot get out. Smiling at others when we don’t feel like smiling. Helping neighbors when needed. Letting someone in a hurry cut in line (we don’t know their urgency or emergency). Sitting around a fire pit with family and friends listening to the crackling of the burning embers. Watching the stars sparkle in the quiet country sky away from those sparkling city lights. Laughter, happiness, peace (the list goes on) are all the real gold in our lives.
The Bible tells us that the genuineness of our faith is more precious than gold (more precious than the gold that perishes) …
“That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:7.
“Fool’s Gold” is technically known as pyrite and is one of the most common sulfide minerals. … Many sulfides are economically important as metal ores. Pyrite is called “Fool’s Gold” because it resembles gold to the untrained eye but has no value.
Fools’ Gold, however, could technically be everything material we have in this world. Our cars, homes, belongings, jewelry, bank accounts, etc. All of it perishes and we cannot take it with us when we die.
The Bible has a lot to tell us about all that glitters. Matthew 23 reflects some of the following:
17 “Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?”
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.
Job 28 tells us wisdom is more precious than gold:
12 “But where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its value,
Nor is it found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be purchased for gold,
Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
In precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it,
Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz,
For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
Nor can it be valued in pure gold.
Psalm 119:72 “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”
Psalm 119:127 “Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!”
Proverbs 8:10 “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.”
Proverbs 16:16 “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”
Proverbs 20:15 “There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Matthew 23:17 “Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?”
Acts 17:29 “Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.”
James 5:3 “Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.”
I think the main thing to remember in our lives is that we cannot take silver and gold with us when we leave this life. As Scripture advises, it is far better to place the real value in our God’s Commandments, Scripture, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Instruction, Truth, a Good Name, Justice, Mercy, Faith.
May we daily seek all of these things which are worth so much more than Fools’ Gold that shines but has no value. Truly, all that glitters is not gold.
When this short life ends and we’re standing with Jesus, we’ll know that the true eternal “Gold” is in Heavenly mines!
Background Picture behind Poem: Lucas Benjamin
Scripture: Revised King James Version
