The hymn, “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” declares the steadied contentment of choosing Jesus Christ over anything this world offers. Not much is known of its author, Rhea Miller, who penned the words in 1922. The first stanza of her hymn compares having fellowship with Jesus to wealth, the second stanza to fame, and the third stanza to nature’s beauty and satisfaction. None compare! In life, nothing satisfies like Christ. In death, nothing matters but Christ. The world tempts us to forgo the magnificence of Christ for moments of temporal pleasure. But let us continuously say, “I’d rather have Jesus!”
Stanza 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 And be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.
Stanza 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 worldwide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy name
Stanza 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