READING: Psalms 49-50, Romans 1
“For when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down.”
Psalm 49:17
I look around, and I see people everywhere living for dollars. Most are non-believers, but even believers sometimes get caught in the race of seeking more and more stuff. We seek, get, want some more, seek some more, get some more, and still want some more. It’s as if we live on a hamster wheel that never stops and yet never produces joy; no matter how much stuff we secure, we’re left wanting more. Not only do we not gain happiness that way, but all of us also face the reality of death regardless of how much money we have. We die, and all that we’ve gained remains behind.
The psalmist knew that truth. The wealthy may live proudly and independently as if they would not die, but such was not the case. They may “trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches," but those riches could not “redeem a person or pay his ransom to God” (Psa. 49:6-7). The wealthy die even though they “have named estates after themselves” (Psa. 49:11). Their assets may be many, but those assets don’t keep the wealthy from dying like animals do (Psa. 49:12). The god of wealth had no power to rescue a man from death, and all – both rich and poor – would face its reality. As more than one person has said, “Death is the great equalizer.”
This psalm does not condemn wealth, but it does point out the foolishness of living for dollars. It’s interesting to me, however, that many believers can already verbalize that truth. I have never met a Christian who talks about the value of living for stuff that we cannot take with us when die. We know the right language, and we can spin the right message – yet we struggle living according to our own words. We who speak about the foolishness of idolatry sometimes do so holding our Bible loosely in one hand and clutching our stuff tightly in the other.
Be aware of your subtle idols today.
ACTION STEPS:
- Determine if the last two sentences of this devotion characterize you.
- Wisely and prayerfully give sacrificially to help others.
PRAYER: “Father, remind me daily that my wealth cannot buy me anything that matters eternally.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 51-53, Romans 2
