REFLECTIONS OF GOLD
I Kings 6:19-22 He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the Lord there. The inner sanctuary was 30 feet long, 30 feet wide and 30 feet high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar. Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. So he overlaid the whole interior with gold. He also overlaid with gold the altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary.
Sometimes I have heard people say that what the church looks like doesn’t matter, because what really counts is what goes on in the church. To some extend I can agree with this, but most often what the church looks like often reflects how the people inside feel about their God. I know that finance can always be a obstacle. New churches, struggling churches and churches with members of lower incomes can understandably not have the ability to have a building that represents their true love and passion for the Lord. But for the church that has the provision to do much better in cleanliness and appearance, and yet does nothing makes me question their real love for the Lord. Can we exalt the Lord too much in every area of our life and worship? I don’t think so!
In Matthew 26:6-13 it tells about a lady that poured very expensive perfume on Jesus. When the disciples saw this they were indignant and called it a waste, believing the money should have been spent to help the poor. Jesus responded that she did it to prepare him for his burial. Then Jesus added that, “Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Chances are the disciples said this, because they thought that it would impress or please Jesus. What they didn’t see in it was her expression of her love and appreciation for Jesus. They saw money and Jesus saw love. Her act of love had a great impact on Jesus, enough that he ordained it to be remembered throughout the world when people would hear the Good News about Jesus. Our love for Jesus demonstrated is good news. From whom would you sooner hear about Jesus, someone that heard stories about Jesus or someone that loved him and had a personal relationship with him? Well, most people would chose the person that loved him and had a personal relationship with him. Good news they say is not good news until someone hears about it. While this is true, I believe it is even better when it is demonstrated. What impresses you more? If you hear a great message about helping the poor and needy, or seeing a little child give some of her Happy Meal to a homeless person on the street?
So am saying that we need to start lining our churches with gold? Well, if you can I only encourage you to do it, but that is not what I am getting at. What I think God wanted in how he told Moses to build the tabernacle and even how Solomon overlaid the interior of the temple with gold was to demonstrate to the Lord our best expression of our love and respect for him. God knew that it was good for us to see him in a worthy setting. After all Jesus said that in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Just think of it. Every time we come together with someone to talk about Jesus whether it is at church or at someone’s home Jesus is there too.
Joseph Prince once said on one of his programs when the high priest stood in the Holy of Holies he would see himself in the reflection of the gold as God sees him. I believe it is not gold in color, but of great value. God loves us and values us so much that he gave his very best in his son Jesus Christ. Like with the woman pouring oil on Jesus represented her love for him, so should our life and all we have represent our love for him as well.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, we love you and owe you everything. Please help us to reflect our love for you in all we do and all that we have. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
