p. 5 | TRIED GOLD by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 12, 1857

TRIED GOLD.

By James White

THE blessed Saviour counsels us to buy of him gold tried in the fire that we may be rich. This would imply, what he says directly, that we are poor. This cannot refer to a lack of the goods of this world, for God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, heirs of the kingdom.

Rich in faith. Rich supposes an abundance. Can we know whether we are rich in faith? Says the Apostle, "Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." 2 Cor. xiii, 5. What a privilege, to examine ourselves, and prove our own selves, while salvation's stream yet flows; for soon the King will examine all the guests, and they who have not on wedding garments will be cast into outer darkness. Matt. xxii, 1-14. By 1 John v, 4, we learn that faith overcometh the world; and our Saviour promises that if we overcome we shall sit on his throne. O, who would not overcome this poor, dark, wicked world, to sit with Jesus on his throne.

"Come joy, or come sorrow, whate'er may befall, An hour with my God will make up for them all."

Prove your own selves. Are you rich in faith? Have you got an abundance to overcome the world? Do you rejoice to be partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are you patient in tribulation? Or do you shrink from persecution, or repine when men speak evil of you falsely for the truth's sake? Often the little faith we have is overcome by these things. We want a faith that will light up our path in times of darkness, and give us confidence amid trials and dangers; that will yield joyful obedience to every word of the Lord.

Buy gold. Who shall buy gold? The wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Can any one, possessing either reason or sensibility, rest satisfied in such a most wretched condition, when he has a kind offer extended by which he may become truly and abundantly rich? Will the starving beggar shout and leap for joy, and strain every nerve to avail himself of a promise to be clothed with rich raiment and seated on a throne beside a king? Judge ye. The poor of this world may become heirs of a kingdom.

How shall the riches of this heavenly kingdom be bought? The same Witness testified of old as follows:

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matt. xiii, 44-46.

Who shall "declare unto us this parable?" The scriptures will make us perfect, wise unto salvation, and thoroughly furnish us to all good works; and no testimony can be higher than that of Jesus. In Matt. xix, he spake to a certain young man plainly, and not in a parable. Let us hear him:

"And behold, one came, and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"

Jesus has also testified that all the law hangs on the commandments to love God with all the heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Then, of course, if the young man kept all these commandments, he loved his neighbor as himself. But did he? See verse 21. "Jesus said unto him, IF THOU WILT BE PERFECT, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come follow me."

Dear brother or sister: if you had stood there beside the loving Saviour, and he had told you how you might be perfect, and have an unfailing treasure in heaven, would you not have rejoiced at the opportunity, and cheerfully laid hold on eternal life? The young man thought he wanted eternal life; but was he sincere? See again verse 22. "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

Thus Jesus proved him. He did not love his neighbor as himself: his heart was set on his earthly treasures: he valued them more highly than a treasure in heaven, and he was not willing to make an exchange. This also proved that he was guilty of idolatry, and of course he loved neither God nor man as the scriptures required. Truly he was a poor rich man.

Will you prove your own selves? He was overcome; have you faith to overcome the world? "Examine yourselves." Soon the King will examine you. It is very plain that Jesus has here shown how we may buy the true riches of the kingdom: gold tried in the fire. And as surely as the Saviour laid down a condition in truth, so surely would the young man not be perfect, and he would not have a treasure in heaven, if he did not obey his words.

But we urge this consideration, that this testimony applies with peculiar force to us as a remnant people, looking for our Lord. This will appear evident from Luke xii. This chapter, from verse 13, treats of covetousness and the Lord's coming. First is given a parable of a man that had treasure laid up here, but was not rich toward God. Then follows in verses 22, 23, a prohibition against concern for the things of this life; enforced by illustration of ravens, and flowers of the field, to avoid careful suspense, margin, and it is shown that to obey these injunctions will distinguish between us and the nations of the world. Verse 30. This is a most important point. Can we be Christ's and be like the nations of the world? "And your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." Blessed consolation. Forget it not, ye mourning ones. O, yes, your Father knows it all. Not a sparrow falls without his notice; and the very hairs of your head are numbered. Such care, such condescension, how incomprehensible. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Let us seek it first, and his promise is pledged for the rest. Dare you take his word? Again he says, "Sell that ye have and give alms." Why, Lord, shall we sell and give alms? "Provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not; . . . for where your treasure is there will your heart be also."

But, one replies, we can occupy our treasure here, and serve God in our hearts. Jesus says, "Ye can not serve God and mammon." That this is spoken to the watching, waiting ones, see verses 36-40.

And now we appeal to you, beloved brethren and sisters; has not the faithful and true Witness, in these scriptures, shown as clearly how we may buy the gold? Are the Scriptures sufficient as a rule? Go to your Saviour alone; tell him you want eternal life: you want to buy of him gold that makes truly rich; confess that you believe his word is truth; ask for his own Spirit—the Spirit that humbles and enlightens, and sanctifies through belief of the truth; then read these scriptures, and judge if it will not take all to buy the field. It is "a pearl of great price." Do not try to persuade the Saviour that he asks too much; do not set your own price, lest you mock the giver. May God give us wisdom, meekness, and faith, that we may decide and act according to his will, and overcome the world.

As it seemed to be duty for me to bring out this testimony at our late conference, I would say to the scattered ones, look to God for wisdom. This testimony refers not alone to large property holders. It is not because God needs your treasures; but your faith needs a trial. He can work out all his plans independent of you; but you can never enter into life without being humbled, and having your heart torn away from the vanities of earth. God requires a sacrifice from a willing heart, according to what a man hath, whether it be thousands of gold, or two mites: whether it be of the increase of the fold, the fruit of the earth, or the labor of the hands.

This is the testimony of God's word. It is not designed to turn the poor man's family out of doors, or rob his children of their daily bread. The Father of mercies regards the poor. He knows their wants.

There is a great, a fearful responsibility resting upon the rich of this world. The word points out their position as one of especial danger; a danger that the wise and prudent will hardly dare incur. They shall hardly enter the kingdom. O Lord, anoint their eyes that they may see and obey the truth, and so have an abundant entrance therein. But let others beware of inquiring, "Lord, what shall this man do?" The rebuke of the Saviour is strong to such, "What is that to thee?" Often do the poor complain of the rich for not distributing their means, while their own hearts are not sanctified to God. They are unprofitable, not presenting their bodies holy, acceptable sacrifices to God. He will have a clean people. Responsibility rests on every one. "Examine yourselves; prove your own selves." J. H. W.