Gold from Fort Knox

 

Located adjacent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, is a vault used to store a large portion of the United States' official gold reserves. Also know as the United States Bullion Depository, this facility holds 4,578 metric tons of gold bullion (147.2 million oz. troy). According to some sources, this is about 3 percent of all the gold ever refined since the dawn of man. That's a lot of gold! But there is another Knox I know that holds more. His name is Knox Holder.

While I was preaching in Lawrenceburg, TN, I knew a couple named Knox and Marie Holder. They were kind and gentle people and they worshiped with us regularly, although Miss Marie's health prohibited her from attending a good portion of the time. This couple always reminded me that if the world were filled with such people, very few problems would exist. Knox was a skilled and hard-working man. He was very active in his old age, always compassionate, and constantly smiling. But in particular there has been one thing about Knox that for years has been his signature: his positive attitude. Anytime you would greet him and ask him how he was doing, he would say the very same encouraging thing. No matter the occasion or circumstance he would say it...it was dependable, and you learned to count on it. To hear his greeting would certainly change your day for the better.

This past Saturday I was privileged to travel back to Lawrenceburg and perform a wedding ceremony for a young lady that Knox and Marie helped raise. Nearing the age of 94, Knox was not only in attendance, but he, with the help of this young lady's father - walked the bride down the aisle! I found out later that Knox had also driven himself to the building that day! And so, when I had come into the church building that morning, with great anticipation I approached him as he sat in one of the pews while the pre-wedding pictures were being taken. The greeting! It was coming, and I couldn't wait to hear those words once more.  So I said, "Knox, how ya' doin' this mornin'? It's been a long time and it's so go to see ya'!" And then the words I had been waiting for came through with the demeanor and delivery perfected by an artist who had spent his entire life on one beautiful portrait. With his indelible grin and humble and sweet tone he replied, "Well, ya' know I'm ashamed to admit it, but I believe I'm the best I've ever been..."

The meaning and direction of our lives are shaped by the things we value. Who we are is determined by what we think, what we say, how we act, and all of these things begin with what is in our hearts. There is a fortress I know of that holds a great treasure. You might even say that hidden within the walls of this fortress there is pure gold. But this gold does not come by weight. It cannot buy anything physical. And it will not be left behind for future generations to enjoy. Because Knox Holder will soon move on to where his treasure truly lies. And then for certain and for eternity, he will be the best he's ever been.

And if you ask me, that's worth more than all the gold in Fort Knox, Kentucky!

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~ Matthew 6:19-21