A Northern California couple out walking their dog on their property stumbled across a modern-day bonanza: $10 million in rare, mint-condition gold coins buried in the shadow of an old tree."Nearly all of the 1,427 coins, dating from 1847 to 1894, are in uncirculated, mint condition," said David Hall, co-founder of Professional Coin Grading Service of Santa Ana, which recently authenticated them. Although the face value of the gold pieces only adds up to about $27,000, some of them are so rare that coin experts say they could fetch nearly $1 million apiece.
“I don’t like to say once-in-a-lifetime for anything, but you don’t get an opportunity to handle this kind of material, a treasure like this, ever,” said veteran numismatist Don Kagin, who is representing the finders. “It’s like they found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”
Kagin, whose family has been in the rare-coin business for 81 years, would say little about the couple other than that they are husband and wife, are middle-aged and have lived for several years on the rural property in California’s Gold Country, where the coins were found. They have no idea who put them there, he said.
The pair are choosing to remain anonymous, Kagin said, in part to avoid a renewed gold rush to their property by modern-day prospectors armed with metal detectors. They also don’t want to be treated any differently, said David McCarthy, chief numismatist for Kagin Inc. of Tiburon.
“Their concern was this would change the way everyone else would look at them, and they’re pretty happy with the lifestyle they have today,” he said. They plan to put most of the coins up for sale through Amazon while holding onto a few keepsakes. They’ll use the money to pay off bills and quietly donate to local charities, Kagin said. - Rogers, John "6 cans of mint-condition gold coins found in California." The Seattle Times February 25, 2014: Print
Most of us enjoy reading stories about the good fortunes of others. At least I do! It makes me feel hopeful for humanity to know that this fortuity will help others, as well. Human beings are naturally thing-oriented. We are strongly inclined to be wrapped up in seeking, acquiring, enjoying, and protecting material possessions. In prosperous cultures such as those in which most Westerners live, the propensity to build our lives around things is especially great.
Economic problems such as inflation, recessions, and depressions involve many complex factors-monetary, political, military, social, climatic, and so on. But with the exception of the climatic, over which men have little control, the root cause behind most economic difficulty is greed. The problems are brought about in the first place because of greed, and they are often seemingly impossible to solve for the same reason.
When you consider your wealth of time, talents and treasures, do you see yourself in giving a portion to God, or laying it all at God’s feet and saying," Use me for your service!" This means asking God: "How do you want me to use the time, talents, and treasures that you have given me for your Glory?" It makes all the difference in both your daily worship, as well as how you will be used by God for His Glory, and the advancement of His Kingdom.
We cannot claim Christ as Lord if our allegiance is to anything or anyone else, including ourselves. And when we know God’s will but resist obeying it, we give evidence that our loyalty is other than to Him. We can no more serve two masters at the same time, than we can walk in two directions at the same time. We will either ... hate the one and love the other, or ... devoted/hold to one and despise the other (Matthew 6:24).
John Calvin said, “Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost His authority” - (A Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke, vol. 1 [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979], p. 337).
If however, if God controls us, and we place everything from money, time and talents at God’s disposal it is loving God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:37). Loving God is not just a personal internal feeling, but something that is shown in service and even sacrifice (Matthew 10:37-39).
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10; Proverbs 28:25; 1 Timothy 6:9; James 4:3; Matthew 6:33; Ecclesiastes 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me be the inspiration in someone's day. Help me not to discourage but always encourage. Amen
May God bless you always!
Mindee
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