Should I Buy Gold for My Survival Kit?

 

Dennis Edwards

A friend of mine was asking whether she should invest in gold as many of the podcasters she listens to talk about investing in gold and silver or other types of hard currency and/or goods in lieu of current events and a possible financial crash. She asked me if I had an opinion about it? She said, I know what Psalm 20:7 says.  “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” I believe that is the best and most important advice. Do you have any other thoughts along this line?

Here’s my response.

My Dear Friend, I agree with you totally, and similar to the verse you mentioned are my own line of thoughts. In Psalm 41:1-2 we read, "Blessed is he that considers the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou (Lord) will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies."

Proverbs 28:27 says, "He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse."

In Proverbs 19:17 we see, "He that has pity on the poor lends unto the Lord: and that which he has given will He (the Lord) pay him again."

Isaiah 58:6-11 is another example. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loosen the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your reward (or protection). Then you shall call, and the Lord shall answer; you shall cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide you continually, and shall satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

It seems to me that they Lord is saying, we need to take care of the needy He brings along our way, and if we do, then He will take care of us. It’s like an if/then relationship. If we do such and such, God will do such and such. It’s like the verse, “Seek first the kingdom and then all these things will be added unto you.” [Matthew 6:33] It also comes down to the old saying: "For God's sake, and your own sake, and the sake of others, follow God." Apostle Paul wrote, "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is the man that doesn't condemn himself in the thing which he allows." [Romans 14:22] In other words, don’t look around to what others are doing. Get a hold of God by prayer and fasting. Whatever God tells you individually to do, that do, and don’t feel condemned about it.

My wife and I have two $150 goal coins which someone gave us. We live month to month with very little money in the bank. We rent. I'm 74 years old and do not qualify for government benefits being a foreigner. We work for a non-profit and we each receive ¾ of a minimum wage as a monthly gift. My wife is four years from retirement and will not have a right to a pension either, as she doesn’t have enough discounts paid into the system. She will be able to apply for welfare benefits, if necessary, but we are walking in the faith that God will take care of us. We are just trying to follow God day by day. As we do, and as we look to Him, He provides our needs and saves us.

Build Community. We are trying to be faithful to God by building community with our brethren of faith and with our neighbours and with others we come in contact with in our work. We believe that if we are faithful to do today, what He shows us as best we can, He will provide and do what we cannot do for ourselves. He will open doors and do the miracles of supply that we need. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “God will not tempt us above that we are able, but will with the temptation, also provide a way of escape, that we may be able to bear it.” He will supply manna from heaven, if we need it.

We are also strengthening the binds of love and friendship within our own family, which at times is the hardest of tasks requiring lots of love and patience.

In Psalm 46 we read, "God is our refuge and our strength a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.[1-2]...The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." [7] God is our refuge in times of trouble. We do what He shows us to do to prepare and then we trust in Him for what we can’t do. He promises to be a refuge for us. In Isaiah 25:4 we see God’s portion has been to be a refuge for His people. “For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.”

Proverbs 14:26 says, "In the fear of the Lord is a strong confidence.” In other words, by walking with Him day by day, by following and loving Him, we will have a strong confidence. What is strong confidence but a strong faith, a strong assurance. The second part of the verse shows us the results of walking in the fear of the Lord, "And his children shall have a place of refuge.” God promises a place of refuge for those who walk in the fear of the Lord, for those who put God first in their lives. Proverb 18:10 tells us: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe." What is a strong tower but a refuge. It’s upon these promises, which are vaults in the Bank of Heaven, where we should invest our life’s savings. "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen." [2 Corinthians 1:20] God will fulfil His promises and provide a safe haven.

Let’s review some the promises we find in Psalm 71 on God providing our needs in old age. "Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your honour all the day.[8] [Praise is an important part of our walk with God.] Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.[9]..But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. [14] [As we grow older, we should grow more praiseful, more thankful.] My mouth shall show your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.”[15] [In other words, I don't know the number of my days, but I will faithfully share my faith in You till my dying day.] “O God, you have taught me from my youth: and I have faithfully declared your wonderful works. [17] Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed the strength unto this present generation, and your power to everyone that is to come." [18] Our commission is still the same: preach the gospel, and teach others about the glory of God, help them get in relationship with the Creator of the universe, and the Lord will supply our needs, for the Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not lack. [Psalm 23:1]

Another verse from the Old Testament where God promises to care for us in our old age is Isaiah 46:4. "And even to your old age I am He; and even to the grey hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."

We, also, have promises in the New Testament. “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:19] Ephesians 3:16-22 is another good section to claim and to access. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;[16] that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,[17] may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; [18] and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fulness of God. [19] Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, [20] unto Him be glory.” [21] If we could understand how much God loves us, we wouldn’t worry so much.

Should we should buy gold and silver as reserves and insurance for the future? Here are some of the verses I found on gold when I researched. “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” [Psalm 119:72] “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.” [Psalm 119:127] “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge, rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” [Proverbs 8:10-11] “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” [Proverbs 16:16] In Ecclesiastes 9:14-18 we find an interesting story. A poor man by his wisdom helped deliver a city from their enemies. The conclusion being, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war.” [Ecclesiastes 9:18a] It seems wisdom, or in other words, our close relationship with the Lord, is more important than having a supply of gold or silver, or even a gun.

Here are two good verses from the New Testament about gold. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but as such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” [Acts 3:6] Apostle Paul also chimed in on the subject with, “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” [Acts 20:33] It doesn’t look the Apostles were worrying about their survival needs.

Psalm 19:9b-10 reminds us that, "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." In other words, having a good relationship with the Lord even through the hard things we go through in life, the chastisements, is more important than having gold stored away in our survival kits.

Of course, if you are able, and have money to invest, you might want to have a little gold or silver on hand to barter with or as a survival fund. If you have more to invest you might buy a property, or give more to missions. Or you might decide something else. It usually requires that we get a hold of the Lord and get an answer straight from Him on what He wants us to do. “One-size fits all” does not exist. It comes down to one of the first classes I had when I first became a Christian, "For God's sake follow God.” We should remember Apostle Paul’s warning to Timothy, “Don’t trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” [1 Timothy 6:17 ]In the end we need to trust God. “Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” [Proverbs 3:5-6]That sounds like good advice.

After finishing this post the Lord brought another promise to my remembrance: Psalm 91, a psalm of protection for those who walk with God. "He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. [1-2] Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation; there shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come nigh your dwelling." [9-10] The Lord is our refuge and promises His protection in times of calamity. 

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Have I Gotten It Wrong? Is It Really Worth It To Help Others?

By Dennis Edwards --

We all know that the Bible says that if we give, we shall receive.[1] We also know that we should treat others like we would want to be treated, if we were in the same situation.[2] These principles motivate us to reach out and help those in need. We may even remember the parable of the Good Samaritan and have learned that our neighbor is anyone that needs our help.[3]

But how do we help others, if we are not really sure that they need our help? We may in fact be falling for a trap, or are being deceived, conned, and may end up robbed, abused or even killed for our kindness.

Understandably, because of the atmosphere of violence and the disregard for traditional Godly guidelines in today’s world, we are fearful to get involved. We prefer to just pass by the poor man on the way to Jericho.[4] It’s just too complicated.

Jesus himself predicted that,

"because iniquity shall abound, the love of many would wax cold.”[5] 

Have we as a society waxed cold because of the abundance of evil that exists in the world, or that we image to be present?

"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”[6] 

Our minds get filled with violent sights and sounds through television series and daily News. Is it any wonder men’s hearts fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth?[7]

Panic attacks, unheard of in our youth, are a common ailment among young and old alike. I know of five people who have suffered panic attacks. Yesterday, at my son’s school, a young eighteen year old senior girl, had to go to the hospital in ambulance because of a panic attack over an incident on the Facebook. The twenty-six year old brother of a woman who works with us has had to return to his home country last week, because of the panic attacks he has been experiencing in England. 

A sixty year old co-worker has had various attacks where he ended up in the hospital because of panic. A local cashier had to quit her job because of the panic attacks she was having. After a two month sick-leave she experienced an attack on her first day back at work and had to be dismissed. The son of a woman who attends our fellowship and works in the zoo doing animal presentations has been fighting panic attacks and moved from one apartment to another, because of it.

Jesus also said, 

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”[8]

How was it before the flood in the days of Noah? In Genesis we read,

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”[9] “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”[10]

Sadly, the world, contrary to man’s Theory of Evolution, has only seemed to have degenerated as evil men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.[11] It just seems like the world is getting more and more evil. In the political, racial, ethnic climate we are faced with today, can we really, seriously risk “considering the poor?”

God has the answer. The first thing we can do is ask Him for His guidance. We can pray for discernment and protection in our doing. We may even get beaten by robbers. We may get conned. But on the other side, we’ll get the blessing of God.

The Bible says, 

“A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”[12] 

We can ask God for wisdom and the right convictions and follow moment by moment the still, small voice of conscience telling us,

"This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”[13] 

He may tell us, “It’s dangerous, do not get involved.” Or he may say, “Yes, I will be with you.”

Sometimes, late at night, I pass a car on the motorway parked with the yellow emergency lights blinking. At times, I’m going too fast to stop and even enquire if help is needed. Other times, I am not sure if I should stop. But I have found there is one thing I can do. I can pray. I can ask God to intercede and help the person in need. Prayer is never the least you can do, but the most, because you are acknowledging the Creator of the universe and asking him to intervene. Another thing you could do is call the assistance number informing them of the vehicle you have seen.

When Bear Grylls, the famous British explorer, made his successful attempt to climb Mount Everest, he made one last telephone call before being out of telephone reception for various days. It would be his last chance to converse with those loved ones at home before his uncertain Everest attempt. But he did not call his newly wedded wife. He did not call his Mum. He called a Christian friend named Judy in London and asked her for prayer.

In the middle of his harrowing experience crossing the North Atlantic in an open air sea craft, in the midst of the worst weather they encountered, when they were being battered to hell and back by the ferocious waves and winds, when with each wave it seemed as if their craft would be broken in two or capsized in the freezing waters, Bear crawled under one protected area of their craft where he could use the emergency phone. 

Did he call his dear wife who had just eight weeks earlier given birth to their first born son? No, again his 3:00 am request made through his contact in London was to ask his best friend for prayer. Bear was in a desperate situation and needed a miracle or he and his team were not going to get through.

What made the difference in Bear’s success was that he knew he was not strong or intelligent enough in himself to make it through that precarious situation. He knew he needed Divine intervention, that he needed God. He acknowledged his dependence on God and expected God to see him through. In the end, he did!

Do not be ashamed to stop and pray and acknowledge God. Like the Bible says,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.”[14]

Asking for God’s help may be just what makes the difference between success and failure. Asking for His help may bring you just the stamina you need or an idea which will help overcome the difficulty you are in.

Did anyone in the Bible do good and receive evil for it? Obviously, Jesus did, the man who went around doing good and helping others. In the Old Testament we read that Ahimelech the priest helped David when unknowingly David was escaping from Saul. Afterwards, Saul had Ahimelech, his family, all the priests and his village killed and destroyed because of it.[15] Abel went out to the field to help his older brother Cain but ended up offering up the sacrifice of his life.[16] The Bible tells us that the world was not worthy of Abel,[17] and that he received a better resurrection because of it.[18]

For the last few years I have been involved in different humanitarian projects to help the poor. I have gone to Mozambique and donated a few thousand euros to help the mission and soon afterwards the mission closed because of internal problems. I made a 4,800 km round trip to Bosnia after New Years to deliver foodstuffs, blankets and clothing for refugees of the war, only to find out that most of the refugees were ethnic gypsies. I went to the Sahara to do cultural programs for the Saharawi people and ended up with a bad intestinal bug and my co-workers didn't realize I was gravely sick. I have worked hard to deliver foodstuffs and school supplies to poor families in Portugal and yet some of those families seem to have better housing and vehicles than I do.

Have I gotten it wrong?

As we started a recent campaign for school material, my Portuguese friend made the following comment. He said, “Dennis, you do a lot of reading, but you need to meditate more on what God’s word says. Read the first few verses in Psalm forty-one and meditate on them. They are God’s promises to you for Considering the Poor.” Let us read them together.

Blessed is he that considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.[19]

David, the writer of the psalm, had certainly had trouble; from being the youngest of band of seven brothers, to his need to protect his father’s sheep from hungry lions and bears, to his battle with Goliath the Philistine warrior, to the jealous deception and betrayal of his father-in-law King Saul. David had experienced much anguish. You can read his out pouring of prayer and calling upon God for his help in many of his psalms. But the promise of deliverance from trouble in the above verse is for us also today who consider the poor.

The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.[20]

David had experienced God’s blessing and his deliverance from his enemies. But again the promise is alive and is for us today as well, as much as it was for David of old.

The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing (sickness): and wilt make (or restore) all his bed in his sickness (heal him).[21]

The Lord even promises healing from sickness as a result of “Considering the Poor.”

In the book of Proverbs can be found more blessings for those who “Consider the Poor,” as well as a few warnings.

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.[22]

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.[23]

He that hath a bountiful (generous) eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.[24]

The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.[25]

God promises to supply our needs as we take care of the poor and supply their need. We are all guilty of sometimes hiding our eyes when we see someone ahead of us at the supermarket, or at the stop-sign or street-light or at our gate asking for help. But God's word tells us not to be neglectful to entertain strangers, because they may be angels unawares.[26]

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.[27]

That verse reminds me of many of today’s governments which oppress the poor and refuse to raise the taxes of the rich. Instead the poor, middle class, and the retired carry the burden of tax increases. Governments are careful to not overtax their rich and make laws to protect the foundations where the rich have their millions hidden. But the proverb further admonishes, 

“He that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.”

Meditating on how much God considers the poor made me remember that God had said to Moses something about considering the poor. Here’s what I found.

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. 

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.[28]

I recently visited my son in Darlington, England. While walking through various parks in the town, I noticed on the monuments that the parks had been donated by Joseph Peace, Quaker businessman. Mr. Peace had wanted the poor laborers returning home from work in the mines or factories to have a place where they could regain their strength as they walked through the peaceful, beautiful parks he established.

I myself had experienced that same peace as I walked my son’s dog each late afternoon and thanked God for Mr. Peace’s foresight and Christian charity. His consider the poor project is still a blessing to the many poor and lower middle class families who live in the housing developments that border that park.

Conclusion: Don't give up your work of helping the poor and needy. God will bless you as you pour out your love and blessings upon others. Remember what Jesus said,

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."[29] 

As you help them with their physical needs don't forget to minister to their spiritual and emotional needs. Everyone is hungry for love and sincere appreciation. Jesus not only fed the multitudes and healed them, but He also ministered to them the word of God. As much as possible, we should do the same. 

Footnotes

[1] Luke 6:38
[2] Matthew 7:12
[3] Luke 10:25-37
[4] Luke 10:31,32
[5] Matthew 24:12
[6] Proverbs 23:7a
[7] Luke 21:26
[8] Matthew 24:37
[9] Genesis 6:5
[10] Genesis 6:11
[11] 2Timothy 3:13
[12] Proverbs 22:3
[13] Isaiah 30:21
[14] Proverbs 3:5,6
[15] 1Samuel 21:1-9, 22:9-23
[16] Genesis 4:8, Hebrews 11:4
[17] Hebrews 11:38
[18] Hebrews 11:35
[19] Psalm 41:1
[20] Psalm 41:2
[21] Psalm 41:3
[22] Proverbs 28:27
[23] Proverbs 21:13
[24] Proverbs 22:9
[25] Proverbs 29:7
[26] Hebrews 13:2
[27] Proverbs 22:16
[28] Deuteronomy 15:7-11

[29] Matthew 25:40b

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