Lyrics
Silver and gold
Silver and gold
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold
No fame or fortune
Nor riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold
Don't give me a mansion
on top of the hill
Don't give me the world
with a shallow thrill
But just give me a Savior
My life He can hold
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold
I woke up this morning
Feeling kind of down
I called on my best friend
She could not be found
But I called on Jesus
My life He can hold
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold
For unto us a child is born
A son is given
I'd rather have Jesus
What profits a man to gain the whole world and loose His soul
I'd rather have Jesus
In the mid night hour when my body is working in pain oooh
I'd rather have Jesus
The son of man, the king of kings
Oooh I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold
I'd rather have Jesus, I don't need a fancy car,
In the midnight hour, when all of my money is gone,I can call on Jesus and i know he'll answer
For there's no other name given under heaven
Whereby we must be saved
I'd rather have Jesus
He's the only one that can save you
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Silver and Gold contrasts the temporary appeal of wealth, status, and comfort with the lasting worth of Jesus. The opening preference for Christ over riches governs every verse. Mansions, fame, fortune, friendship, and money are all shown as unable to hold a life securely. Jesus is instead named as Savior, the one who can be called upon in distress, and the only source of salvation.
The lyric also draws directly on biblical language. Its question about gaining the whole world while losing the soul echoes Jesus’ warning in Matthew 16:26, while the declaration that no other name brings salvation reflects Acts 4:12. The reference to the child and Son who are given recalls Isaiah’s prophecy. Together, these lines make the song a statement of spiritual priority: possessions may disappear and human help may fail, but Christ remains more valuable than every visible measure of success.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 16:26 Jesus asks what profit there is in gaining the world while forfeiting the soul.
- Acts 4:12 Peter declares that salvation is found in no other name.
- Isaiah 9:6 The prophecy says that a child is born and a Son is given.