Read
(A psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
Don't Depend on Wealth
1Everyone on this earth,
now listen to what I say!
2Listen, no matter who you are,
rich or poor.
3I speak words of wisdom,
and my thoughts make sense.
4I have in mind a mystery
that I will explain
while playing my harp.
5Why should I be afraid
in times of trouble,
when I am surrounded
by vicious enemies?
6They trust in their riches
and brag about
all their wealth.
7You cannot buy back your life
or pay off God!
8It costs far too much
to buy back your life.
You can never pay God enough
9to stay alive forever
and safe from death.
10 We see that wise people die,
and so do stupid fools.
Then their money is left
for someone else.
11The grave will be their home
forever and ever,
although they once had land
of their own.
12Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
13Here is what happens to fools
and to those who trust
the words of fools:
14They are like sheep
with death as their shepherd,
leading them to the grave.
In the morning God's people
will walk all over them,
as their bodies lie rotting
in their home, the grave.
15But God will rescue me
from the power of death.
16Don't let it bother you
when others get rich
and live in luxury.
17Soon they will die
and all their wealth
will be left behind.
18We humans are praised
when we do well,
and all of us are glad
to be alive.
19But we each will go down
to our ancestors,
never again to see
the light of day.
20Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
Reflect
The top of this psalm is an attention grabber. “Everyone on this earth, now listen to what I say!” (v1). In our upside-down culture which applauds and envies celebrities, the rich and famous, the psalmist delivers words of wisdom.
He had lived through enough to know that God has designed life to be a potent and convincing teacher. His conclusion: “The rich can be poor and the poor can be rich!”
The psalmist declares his position. He will not fear when he is being tracked down and oppressed by those who have evil intent toward him nor those who are wealthy. He was not awed by their wealth – rather he saw it as a snare to deception and folly. Wealth can corrupt and make men proud and arrogant, giving them a false sense of power more than they really possess. Their hope is misplaced. It is not placed in God – the foundation and life and death, but in their money.
Whether rich or poor, we all breathe the same air. We cannot buy life nor can we pay to stop death. Rich or poor, we all die. All of us face the grave. We come into the world with nothing and will take nothing out with us. We are unwise if we envy the rich and their accumulated wealth. Even if we pass on our wealth to the next generations, they too will die.
The psalmist does not make being rich a sin. Instead he emphasizes that holding onto money as a hope-giver and the answer to life is a deception.
Paul found a relationship with Christ that did not depend on money, fame, or status. “I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have . . . Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Respond
Dear Father, Keep me grounded in your love, grace and provision. May I never believe the lie that money promises me more security than I have in knowing you. May I never envy the rich or look down on the poor but serve all with humility and your love. Amen.
Margaret Gibb
Margaret has been actively involved in Canada with ministries to women for over 35 years, serving for 10 years as President of Women Alive. A writer and international speaker, Margaret has a passion to see women fulfill their God-given calling. In October 2011, she founded a new ministry organization, Women Together, that will engage professional Canadian women to come along side women in developing countries with skills development, leadership training, spiritual encouragement and support.