We will all die. There’s no better day to say that than today – 9/11. We all know that but most of us have a sense we will live well into our old age.
And the truth is as of this date today – 9/11/21 – the world is a very unstable, uncertain place to be. I talked to someone just yesterday who said she can’t watch the news anymore as she gets anxious, stressed, and hyperventilates. I understand. Each day it’s like a new wave of evil is unleashed, and worse, I think we haven’t seen anything yet to what it will be.
In these scary times there’s a lot of people prepping, trying to figure out what to do. In the past people have looked to their retirement accounts to envision nice retirement years. Young people have worked hard to make their wealth and get their fast cars, nice clothes and large houses.
But more and more we are seeing that a person who has wealth is not enough. If the economy fails, what will it gain? If banks shutter their doors, then what? It happens over and over throughout history.
But worse still, man will die, and then what? What was all that wasted energy on something that one can’t take with them?
This psalm addresses this very issue of money. And it basically says, money is not a safe place to put your trust.
“But despite his assets, man will not last; he is like the animals that perish” (Ps 49:12).
This psalm specifically is talking not about the instability of wealth that the world is going to enter into I think in the near future, but rather that if you trust in wealth, live it up, get the respect of men, that rich and poor alike still die.
“For one can see that wise men die; foolish and stupid men also pass away” (Ps 49:10).
So to work for wealth and garner respect and walk about arrogantly but have no fear of God.
“They trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches. Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God–since the price of redeeming him is too costly” (Ps 49:7-8).
He who has wealth but not fear of God is a fool. He will die, and when he faces God, then what? Will he take his wealth with him? Will he buy his way into heaven?
“Like sheep they are headed for Sheol…and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol, for He will take me” (Ps 49:14-15).
We think we don’t put our trust in money, but is that the case? What do we worry about not having enough of? Money. What are we concerned about when we see the rising food costs, housing costs, and more? Money. What do we worry about for retirement? Money. What do we stress about when we need a car? Monday.
Jesus said this:
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Mt 6:24)
Money is a more subtle love than we realize. It’s not a crime to have money. It’s not a virtue to have none. But it’s the issue of where do we put our trust?
The Psalmist says this:
“A man with valuable possessions, but without understanding is like the animals that perish” (Ps 49:20).
