THE GOLD, OR YOU CAN’T BUY PEACE OF MIND

Years later, when he was asked why he gave the gold to the Christ child, Melchior would tell this story:  now, all three kings were kings and had tremendous reserves of gold, even the stakes of Balthazar’s tent were made of pure gold.  Melchior was growing troubled with their riches for he had heard John Wesley say “It is not how much of my money am I giving to God, but how much of God’s money will I keep for myself?”  He began to judge his friend, thinking such thoughts as, How can we pretend to be seeking the Christ child and yet have such treasure, why Balthazar even has golden tent stakes.  One morning when they left camp, Balthazar cut his tent cords, leaving the golden tent stakes behind.  Melchior couldn’t keep it to himself any longer, “How can you be so wasteful, claiming yourself spiritual, leaving golden stakes behind?”  Balthazar looked at his friend and said, “Melchior, the golden stakes were driven  into the ground, not into my heart.” Melchior credits that moment to when he knew what to give the Christ child. (adapted Sufi tale)

WESLEY’S QUESTION:  Do I pray about the money I spend?

SCRIPTURE:  Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:19-21, 24) See also 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

FOOLISH WISDOM:  “Money never stays with me.  It would burn me if it did.  I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible lest it find its way into my heart.” (John Wesley)

MUSCI SELECTION:

I Saw Three Ships by Anna Laura Page

© 2015 Lorenz Publishing Co.

Laura Hesse, piano