I'd Rather Have Jesus

650 I'd Rather Have Jesus

1 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 lands.
   I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand Refrain:
   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.

2 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 [Refrain]

3 He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom'
   He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
   He's all that my hungering spirit needs.
   I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead [Refrain]
                         Rhea F. Miller
                         Hymns for the Family of God

<idle musing>
I wonder how many Christians today would stand by this? When power and wealth and status are worshiped by so many, do we really believe that Jesus is preferable?

By the way, take a look at the biography of the hymnwriter, which includes the story of how the tune was written—by George Beverly Shea!
</idle musing>