ACRES OF DIAMONDS

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

 

ACRES OF DIAMONDS

 

Matt 16:25-26

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

Russell Herman Conwell (February 15, 1843 – December 6, 1925) was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, author, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphia, as the Pastor of The Baptist Temple, and for his inspirational lecture, "Acres of Diamonds".

As a Union soldier, during the "Gum Swamp" expedition, he returned to the battlefield to retrieve the bodies of two of his deceased soldiers, and later during the same campaign purposefully drew enemy fire upon his position – resulting in his being shot in the shoulder. He knew the value of life. Source: Wikipedia)

 

But this morning I awoke with an old-fashioned Gospel song rattling in my head. Written by Arthur Smith and recorded by Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, the song in my head was called Acres of Diamonds.

 

Acres of Diamonds, mountains of gold,

Rivers of silver, jewels untold

All these together, wouldn't buy you or me,

Peace when we're sleeping or a conscience that's free.

 

A heart that's contented, a satisfied mind,

These are the treasures, money can't buy.

If you have Jesus, there's more wealth in your soul,

Than Acres of Diamonds, mountains of gold.

 

Col 3:2

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

 

Lord, I am bound for a city where the streets are paved with Gold, whose walls are jewels, and whose gates are pearls. Help me to assign true value to things, friends, and myself. AMEN