For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every

"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver." Thus spoke Martin Luther, the great reformer whose words shook kingdoms and awakened the conscience of men. His saying is not merely about trees, nor about riches, but about the way the soul must learn to see. For the tree, clothed in green, is life itself—breathing, growing, giving shelter and shade, bearing fruit and whispering in the winds of time. Gold and silver, though they glitter, are but dead metals, silent and barren. To confuse their worth with the worth of living things is to mistake the shadow for the light.

The ancients, too, knew this truth. To them the sacred groves were temples more enduring than marble halls. A green tree was a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, its roots drinking the mystery of soil, its branches grasping the mystery of sky. It was the image of life’s abundance, of renewal, of the eternal cycle. By contrast, gold and silver, though prized in crowns and treasures, could not give a single breath of air, nor feed the hungry, nor cool the weary traveler resting in its shade. Luther’s words remind us that the truest glory lies not in what dazzles the eye, but in what sustains the spirit.

Consider the story of St. Francis of Assisi, who turned away from riches and embraced poverty so that he might better see the beauty of creation. To him, every tree, every bird, every blade of grass was a brother or sister, radiant with divine presence. When merchants and princes pursued gold and silver, Francis lifted his eyes to the forests and fields and declared them wealth enough. And though he died with no earthly treasure, his life became a fountain of inspiration that enriched the hearts of generations. His glory was the glory of the green tree, not of the golden coin.

This quote also speaks to our times, when men and nations tear down forests to heap up wealth, blind to the truth that they are trading life for dust. What is the worth of gold and silver, if the rivers run dry, if the air grows foul, if the earth no longer offers its shade and fruit? The green tree is more than beauty—it is the guardian of the breath we breathe, the silent companion of our days. To prize money above it is to sell our future for a trinket. Luther’s words thunder through the ages as a warning: that we must not forsake the living for the lifeless.

Yet his words also shine with hope, for they remind us that glory is already around us, waiting to be seen. The green tree, though humble, is a miracle greater than any jewel. It rises from seed, it endures storms, it renews itself with each season. It teaches us resilience, patience, and faith. In its silent strength, it tells us: life itself is the true treasure. And if we learn to look upon creation with reverence, we will see that the world is already richer than the vaults of kings.

The lesson is clear: seek not only what glitters, but what gives life. Honor the green tree in your heart and in the world around you. When you walk, look upon the leaves and remember that they are more glorious than the ornaments of emperors. Plant trees, protect forests, nurture gardens, for in doing so you honor not only nature, but the divine wisdom that set life above lifelessness. And in your dealings with others, choose what sustains, what gives shade and shelter, over what merely dazzles for a moment.

Practically, this means resisting the endless hunger for possessions and instead treasuring what endures: relationships, nature, spirit. Sit beneath a tree and feel its strength. Teach your children that the leaf is worth more than the coin, for the leaf breathes life while the coin lies cold. Let your wealth be measured not in gold and silver, but in the shade you give, the fruit you bear, the life you help sustain. In this way, you will live with glory far greater than kings, for you will have lived as one who knew the true nature of things.

So carry Luther’s wisdom as a flame: that the world’s loveliness lies not in its treasures but in its living heart. And when future generations ask what is greater than wealth, tell them: “Every green tree, for it is the glory of life itself, and from it, all true riches flow.”