The Guts and Garbage of the Earth
God's love and presence are more valuable than all earthly riches, and we should desire Him above all else.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God is the ultimate and incomparable portion for believers, far surpassing all earthly treasures such as gold and silver, which he describes as mere 'guts and garbage of the earth.' He illustrates that no amount of wealth or worldly possessions can compare to the value of a relationship with God. Brooks encourages the congregation to recognize the futility of desiring material riches when they pale in comparison to the spiritual wealth found in God. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper appreciation of the divine inheritance that belongs to the saints.
Text
God is an incomparable portion.
All the gold of Ophir, and all the silver of the Indies,
which are but the guts and garbage of the earth,
are nothing, yes, less than nothing, compared with God.
God is a portion more precious than all those things
which are esteemed most precious.
A man may desire just about anything. He may desire
that all the mountains in the world may be turned into
mountains of gold for his use; he may desire that all the
rocks in the world may be turned into the richest pearls
for his use; he may desire that all the treasure that is
buried in the sea may be brought into his treasuries;
he may desire that all the crowns and scepters of all
the princes and emperors of the world, may be piled
up at his gate. Yet all these things are not comparable
to a saint's portion, yes, they are not to be named in
that day, in which the excellency of a saint's portion
is set forth.
Sermon Outline
- God's incomparable portion
- God's portion is more precious than all earthly treasures
- All earthly riches are but 'guts and garbage' compared to God
Key Quotes
“All the gold of Ophir, and all the silver of the Indies, which are but the guts and garbage of the earth, are nothing, yes, less than nothing, compared with God.” — Thomas Brooks
“A man may desire just about anything, yet all these things are not comparable to a saint's portion, yes, they are not to be named in that day, in which the excellency of a saint's portion is set forth.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should seek to know God and love Him above all else, recognizing that His presence is more valuable than any earthly treasure.
- Earthly riches are fleeting and temporary, while God's love and presence are eternal and unchanging.
- Desiring God more than earthly treasures requires a heart that is surrendered to Him and a willingness to obey His will.