The New River has rocks that glitter, but I can tell you they do not contain gold.

There is an old saying, that is almost Biblical but it is not, it came from William Shakespeare.

"All that glitters is not gold".

Pretty simple to understand, things that look valuable, precious, or true, many times end up not being any of those things.

It can also mean that having many valuable things, including money, is not always worth as much as you think, and obtaining those things can cost you more than they are worth, in the long run.

Diane and I have never had a lot of money, at least not based on some folk’s balance. Yes, we owned a successful business, we had a nice house in the best neighborhood in our city, it was one of the smallest but it was a great place. We were able to always pay our bills, and we sent our kids through college without any student debt. Some of our neighbors thought we were really well off because there was this forty-foot RV thing parked in our driveway.

We may have looked like we had a decent bank balance, but I did not measure my wealth by that. I personally measure my wealth more by having wisdom, knowledge, common sense, a good family, a great wife, and good friends. I also believe that great wealth is measured by what one gives away, not just stored away. My son worked for United Way, they were one of my customers for over thirty years. I looked after them both technically and financially. I gave time and materials to many charities, homes for abused women, children's shelters, and free clinics. I also provided time and equipment to many churches in our area that ran daycare and other types of centers for needy people. I enjoyed doing so, and I never missed the money I could have collected from these folks. Wealth gives power and for a while I had it, and that power allowed me to do good for others. I suppose I still look at life that way. I also know that when it comes to friends, Diane and I are very wealthy.

When entrusted with wealth God looks not at how much you have but what you do with it. Do you use this wealth to help others, show his love or do you just hoard it? The latter will not help others and I don't think it will help you either. Do you share? Do you share bucks if you have them, do you share wisdom if you have that? Do you share time with your friends? Do you have common sense and try to help those who need more of the same?

Proverbs 11: 22-31

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

another withholds unduly but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper;

whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,

but they pray for God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,

but evil comes to one who searches for it.

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,

and the fool will be servant to the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,

how much more the ungodly and the sinner!