I’d Rather Have Jesus

Rhea F. Miller and George B. Shea wrote this beautiful song together.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I’d rather be His than have riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world wide fame
I’d rather be true to His holy name

Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

There is no one that I can think of who wanted to have Jesus than the apostle Paul.

Philippians 3:8–10 (ESV)
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”

“Earth holds no treasure but perish with using however precious they be” (Tellit Teddlie). Your wealth will fail you, but Jesus never will. So many have traded their heavenly home with the Lord for the trinkets and trash that soon will pass. The rich man never considered the value of his soul and only thought of how much he had. He died leaving all his riches behind. Our Lord taught us not to “lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal” (Mt 6:19).

It is paramount to seek only the Lord because we cannot pursue both wealth and God (Mt 6:24). Being rich on earth and bankrupt in heaven is a sad condition.

Jesus can give us much more than what wealth has to offer. He gives joy, happiness, love, hope, peace and true contentment.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (Jn 14:27)

Peace comes because of the salvation He purchased for every person who will accept it. (Jn 10:15). What a valuable asset to have the saving blood of Jesus to wash away our sins (1Jn 1:7-9; Jn 8:31-32).

Would you rather have Jesus? What will you truly own if you gain the whole world and lose your soul?