Radio Transcript

Better Than Gold and Silver

"The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." These words, taken from Psalm 119:72, speak of the great value of God’s word. Yes, God’s word is more valuable than gold and silver. But, what is it about the Bible that makes it so valuable?

First, the Bible is of tremendous value because it solves man greatest questions. Consider the question, "Where have we come from." Many men have spent countless hours, dollars and great amount of energy to discover the answer to this simple question. I say simple because the answer is revealed to us in the first pages of the word of God. "And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:26-27).

Oh, I know. Some men would have you believe that man is a product of the process of evolution. They would have you believe you are here as the result of an accident. Many of these men deny that God exists. But the man who says there is no God is a fool.

Another great question answered by the Bible is "Why am I here?" It is apparent that the aim of many in life is to accumulate as many material possessions as possible. It is the aim of many in life to gather as much wealth as possible. But a man’s life does not consist of the things he possesses (Luke 12:15). It is the aim of many in life to simply experience as much pleasure as possible. The wise man Solomon understood the futility of seeking pleasure as the purpose of life. "I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 2:1). We are here on this earth to glorify God. This is our purpose for living. The apostle Paul wrote, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).

The Bible provides man with the answer to the question, "Where am I going." It is appointed unto man once to die (Hebrews 9:27). But physical death is not the end of man’s existence. In describing the end of life on this earth, Solomon wrote, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). We will all one day be judged according to the things we have done. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10). Every individual who has ever lived will spend eternity somewhere. The majority will spend eternity in a place of everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). The righteous will spend eternity with God (Matthew 25:46).

Second, the Bible is of great value because it has a powerful influence over men’s souls. The gospel of Christ is exceedingly powerful. Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18). "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

The power of God’s word is evident in the fact that it is able to save man. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain" (I Corinthians 15:1-2). The power of God’s word is able to cleanse us of our sin. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (I Peter 1:22). God’s word is able to sanctify us. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). God’s word can free us from the bondage of sin. Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall now the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). God’s word is able to convict us of our sin. On the day of Pentecost, Peter and the other apostles preached the gospel. Notice how many reacted. "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do" (Acts 2:37). God’s word is able to give life. "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel" (I Corinthians 4:15).

Third, God’s word serves to guide us in our relationships. Every year thousands of people spend money on self help books. Often times they are looking for help with their relationships. But ironically, most of these people already own the best self help book that was written – the Bible of course. God’s word is able to guide us as children. "Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Ephesians 6:1-3). It is able to guide us in our youth. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). It is able to guide as husbands and wives. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Colossians 3:18-19). God’s word is able to guide us as citizens. Paul wrote, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing" (Romans 13:1-7).

Fourth, God’s word is able to sustain us in times of trouble. When we are sorrowful, God’s word can give us comfort. Notice these words, written by the apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica. "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). When we are discouraged, God’s word can give us courage. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9). When we are weak, God’s word is able to give us strength. Paul encouraged the Christians at Ephesus to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10). When we are in despair, God’s word is able to give us hope. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Hebrews 6:19). When we are dying, God’s word is able to give us assurance of eternal life. "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Corinthians 15:52-58).

What makes the Bible so valuable? It answers man’s greatest questions. It has a powerful influence over men’s souls. It serves to guide us in our relationships. And it sustains us in time of trouble.