I'm Worth More Dean Than Alive

“What is gold compared with your God? You could not live on it; your spiritual life could not be sustained by it. Could it grant peace to a troubled conscience? Apply it to a sad heart and see if it could prevent a single groan or minimize one grief.” – C.H. Spurgeon

As I pen these words, gold is trading at $4,662 per ounce. Meanwhile, silver goes for $84 per ounce.

Most financial advisors recommend diversifying your investments to include a mixture of stocks (usually in the form of mutual funds), bonds, precious metals, and semi-liquid assets such as CD’s, money markets, and annuities. Then, of course, there is life insurance – either whole or term – and various retirement vehicles such as TSAs and 401(k)s.

Since our son Chris is a licensed financial advisor and a fiduciary, he handles some of our investments. At my age (66), I can’t afford to take a lot of risks and so, Chris has us in some high-yielding fixed-rate annuities. Deanna and I also have a couple of CD’s, a modest savings account, and an even more modest checking account.

And just in case the economy collapses entirely, we have a gram or two of gold and a collection of silver bars and coins in various weights and denominations. But guess what? We can’t eat silver and gold, and if the world’s economic system decides that precious metals are no longer valuable, then we are up a creek without a paddle.

Thankfully, we have something far more valuable in our retirement “nest egg” and that is our salvation. It never corrupts or corrodes… and its value seems to increase exponentially every day.

Here is how Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers”, described God’s eternal riches…

“But you have God, and in Him you have more than gold or riches could ever buy. Some have their portion in something most men love—applause and fame; but ask yourself, is not your God more to you than that? Do you think that human accolades or thunderous applause could prepare you to face death or encourage you in the prospect of judgment? No! There are sorrows in life that wealth cannot alleviate; and there is the deep need of a dying hour, for which no riches can provide.”

“But when you have God for your portion, you have more than everything else put together. In Him every need is met, whether in life or in death. With God for your portion, you are rich indeed, for He will supply your need, comfort your heart, relieve your grief, guide your steps, walk with you in the dark valley, and then take you home to enjoy Him as your portion forever.”

By the way, Deanna and I also have some life insurance, too. In fact, I often remind her that I am worth more to her dead than alive!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President