Striving After Gold

“Gold! Gold! Gold!” This was the headline in the Seattle newspaper. The attention-getting story went on to describe “stacks of yellow metal!” The implication was that gold was abundant: “Some have $5,000. Many have more, and a few bring out $100,000 each.”

This was part of the frenzy sparked when, on this day in 1896, gold was discovered near Dawson City, Canada. As many as 100,000 people left everything, traveling to Dawson City, hoping to find that gold.

Many previously had never heard of Dawson City, discovering they had to travel hundreds of miles to the northern Yukon Territory. The journey was arduous, involving treacherous routes, uncharted landscapes, snow-packed mountain passes, and frozen rivers.

Prospectors began arriving, crowding the streets with men hoping to find their share of those “tons of gold.” Some did find gold, but most discovered that the good ground previously had been staked. In fact, most of the gold already had been found.

Some remained in the Dawson City area. But, with little left to be discovered, many simply returned home. Others moved on, determined to find that next “pot of gold.”

In the end, over a period of a few years, millions of dollars in gold were uncovered. But most participants found no gold at all.

The Bible reminds us that many people spend their lives searching for gold. For many, this becomes an obsession. Most never find this “pot of gold” they seek. Some do find gold. But eventually, we all discover that all the gold in the world cannot produce happiness or contentment.

Make sure that you find joy in serving God. His rewards last forever!