You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Revelation 3:17-18
“You therefore, who are rich and wealthy, buy for yourself of Christ gold tried by fire; that you may be pure gold, with your filth burnt out as if by fire, if you are purged by almsgiving and righteous works. Buy for yourself white raiment, that you who had been naked according to Adam, and were before frightful and unseemly, may be clothed with the white garment of Christ.'”
Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200-258) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection on Alms.
In modern times, with uncertainty in the global economic situation, we commonly hear the exhortation to buy gold. This implies putting the money you possess in the safest possible earthly investment that will not go down in value.
That word picture applied in antiquity as well. It came from Jesus in His letter to Laodicea recorded by John in Revelation. To hold wealth was equated with blindness, to buy gold was to put it in the right place.
Cyprian spells it out further in his ancient sermon to the early church. He maps how to buy gold: almsgiving and righteous works. And most interesting to me today is the purpose clause in the Scripture in the Greek. Why do this?
It actually has three parts. Firstly, so you can become rich. The generosity actually makes you rich, providing you with white clothes. This points to purity of faith that has been proven by actions.
Secondly, generosity helps cover your nakedness. You don’t hear this often. Our Lord sees everything. Don’t be exposed as naked of righteous acts. You are “covered” with Christ when you live, give, serve, and love generously.
Thirdly, generosity provides the giver with salve for the eyes to see. As you do it, you have the ability over time to be able to see rightly. To have the clear vision for what needs to be done. You only get it through giving.
So, give to the poor, not in a manner that creates dependency, but to build them up as disciples. Do this and you will buy gold, become rich, get covered by Christ, and have clear vision. Give to GTP. Join our work lifting up the poor.
Remember the exhortation to buy gold comes to us from Christ Himself. He’s not forcing us but inviting us. Those who hear and obey find the life they are looking for, the life they always wanted. Buy gold today.