1 Peter 1:6-7

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing,” opined Oscar Wilde the Irish poet, playwright, and novelist.

Since Wilde lived in the 19th century, I wonder what he would think today?

In an age of ethical relativism, moral degradation, and spiritual malaise, it almost seems as if everyone and everything has its price. But there are some things that are priceless. They have value beyond monetary measure. Beyond a price tag.

Today’s text affirms that “your faith” is “more precious than gold.”

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Today gold is valued at $1867.73 per ounce. How about a 50 pound bag? You do the math. Yet, Peter penned that “your faith” is worth more.

How? Why? And When? Is your faith worth more?

#1 Your Faith is worth more than gold when it’s genuine.

Not a fake faith. Superficial faith. Shallow faith. Or counterfeit faith. But faith that is real. Genuine. Proven. Tested. And tried.

Such faith, the Bible says, “comes by hearing the Word of God” (Rom. 20:27). The true believer doesn’t need external evidence to give it credibility. Finding Noah’s ark, while interesting and exciting, won’t prove the account of the flood. Faith accepts the Genesis account. Likewise all the archeological discoveries in the world, while helpful to support the veracity of the Bible to unbelievers and skeptics, is not the foundation of your faith.

Genuine faith accepts God at His Word. He said it. I believe it.

#2 Your Faith is worth more than gold when it’s tried.

Peter refers to “various trials.” He’s speaking of the general problems of life which we all encounter. “Various” or “manifold” (as used in the KJV) is a word that means variegated, many-colored, or multi-faceted. Interestingly, it’s the same word used in 1 Peter 4:10 to describe “the manifold grace of God.”

Trials attack us in many different ways. Sickness. Suffering. Temptation. Rejection. Betrayal. Loss of love. Financial reverses. Business failure. Ruptured relationships. And, of course, death. Yet, through all of these “your faith” will support you. Ground you. Uphold you. Encourage you. And sustain you.

I’ve heard people say, “If ‘xyz’ happens, I’ll fall to pieces.” Or “If ‘xyz’ happens, I won’t be able to stand it.” Listen, no matter what the color of life’s circumstances, a blue Monday, a Grey Tuesday, a yellow Wednesday, or a red-alert Friday, your faith will see you through it. You can make it. You can withstand it. God’s grace is more than sufficient to support you.

#3 Your faith is worth more than gold when it glorifies God.

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It is encouraging to know that we are born for glory, kept for glory, and being prepared for glory.” We not only have the glory of heaven to anticipate, but we honor the Lord, glorify God, and serve as a living testimony to our faith when we pass the test of trials.

The ancient patriarch Job, who was severely tested by Satan, offered this encouraging conclusion. “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job. 23:10).

Just as the goldsmith removes the impurities to fashion a beautiful and valuable object, our trials can strengthen us and fashion us to become what God intended for us to be.

Finally, remember that these trials are just “for a little while.” Compared to eternity, the suffering is short. Compared to the reward of glory, the trials are trivial.

“What’s in your safe?” asks William Devane in the commercial for Rosland Capital as he pitches their gold products. You know what’s more precious and of greater value than gold in your safe (even at $1867.73 per ounce)?

Your faith.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman