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bigmike

The Value of Faith
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9
Throughout history, different items have been used as a currency of value.
In New Testament days, Roman soldiers were often paid with salt rather than money. In fact, the word salary is taken from the Latin word for salt, and that is also where the expression "worth his salt" comes from. In Revolutionary America, the new Congress printed so much paper money that people stopped accepting it. Something that did not have any real value would be referred to as "not even worth a Continental." In contrast, gold has been a constant medium of exchange and wealth for thousands of years.
Yet we have something far more valuable than any currency, including gold.
We have faith.
The reason our faith is so valuable is not found in us-in how deeply or firmly we believe-but in the object of that faith. It is Jesus Who is always faithful, Who never changes, and Who never abandons His children. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye
have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what trial may come into our lives, we can count on Him to be faithful to us, and it is our duty to be faithful to Him in return. No matter how painful or difficult or disappointing our circumstances may be, each trial gives us an opportunity to refine and strengthen our faith, and demonstrate to all those around us that it is indeed real and precious.
No trial can shake a faith that is based on the faithfulness of Jesus to keep all of His promises to us.
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