Better Than Gold

Psalm 19:7-11

Introduction:

The expression, ‘Better Than Gold’, is found several times in the Bible as it relates to Godly matters and Godly principles.

Application: From what I could find…an ounce of gold is $49.27/g and just a little over $2K for an ounce.

Fort Knox Bullion Depository:

• U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox
• The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky is not a production facility – it stores precious metal bullion reserves for the United States.
• No visitors are permitted in the facility.

Fort Knox Facts:

• Amount of present gold holdings: 147.3 million ounces. About half of the Treasury’s stored gold (as well as valuables of other federal agencies) is kept at Fort Knox.
• Highest historic gold holdings: 649.6 million ounces (December 31, 1941).
• The only gold removed has been very small quantities used to test the purity of gold during regularly scheduled audits. Except for these samples, no gold has been transferred to or from the Depository for many years.
• The gold is held as an asset of the United States at book value of $42.22 per ounce.
• Size of a standard gold bar: 7 inches x 3 and 5/8 inches x 1 and 3/4 inches.
• Weight of a standard gold bar: approximately 400 ounces or 27.5 pounds.
• The actual structure and content of the facility is known by only a few, and no one person knows all the procedures to open the vault.
• The first gold arrived at Fort Knox in 1937…by U.S. Mail! View photos of the shipment on the History of the U.S. Mint page.
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The ‘Ways’ of God are of greater value than gold They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. (Psa 19:10 NLT)

Question: How could anything be more valuable than Gold and what are those values?

19: 11 They are both a ‘warning’ and/or a ‘reward.’

Question: Who was warned in the Bible?

• Adam & Eve
• People during the times of Noah
• Pharoah was warned ‘to let my people go’
• Sodom and Gomorrah
• Lots wife was told not to look back

Question: Who will be rewarded in Bible?

• Genesis 30:18 Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.” ^a So she named him Issachar.^1b (Gen 30:18 NIV)
  • Issachar means = ‘there is recompense’

•   2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” (2Ch 15:7 NLT)

Transition: Well let me get to the riches we find in God’s ways.

I. The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. (19:7a)

Instructions = Law, Torah

Perfect = complete.

Reviving or reviving, restoring, converting!

II. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Psa 19:7b NLT)

Decrees = testimony (doctrines, decrees)

What God said he is. What God has done!

III. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart.  (Psa 19:8 NLT

Commandments = precepts, statues

Joy = bring rejoicing

III. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. (Psa 19:8 NLT)

Insight = Give light (to eyes, soul, mind)

IV. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. (Psa 19:9 NLT)

Laws = reverence, respect, piety

Fair = True and righteous (reliable, firm)