DISCIPLE

Having spoken of the spiritual inheritance which was his and ours, he then declared his indifference to material possessions (Eph. 6:32-33). "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel". When a man is satisfied with what he has in Christ, the comforts and luxuries and extravagancies of this world lose their charm. The antidote to covetousness and the stimulus to contentment is this; "he hat said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). Apparently, the sentiments of this hymn are based on reality; In the heart of London city, 'Mid the dwellings of the poor, These bright golden words were uttered, I have Christ! What want I more? Spoken by a lonely woman, Dying on a garret floor, Having not one earthly comfort: I have Christ! What want I more! Silver and gold and apparel were what ensnared Achan; coveting them cost him his life (Josh. 7:21). Perhaps Gehazi thought that he was being reasonable when he request...

  The politicians couldn't say this truthfully! Nor the actors or the professional athletes. But never mind them. What about us? What if we had to choose? It's one thing to sing it, another to live it. 1. I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be His than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand. Chorus: Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin's dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today. 2. I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame. I'd rather be true to His holy name. 3. He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He's sweeter than honey from out the comb; He's all that my hungering spirit needs. I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead. by Rhea F. Miller, 1922   ...