“Hear this, all peoples!
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
both low and high,
rich and poor together!
My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding…
I will solve my riddle to music…
Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Truly no man can ransom another,
or give to God the price of his life,
for the ransom of their life is costly
and can never suffice,
that he should live on forever
and never see the pit.
For he sees that even the wise die;
the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others.
Their graves are their homes forever,
their dwelling places to all generations,
though they called lands by their own names.
Man in his pomp will not remain…
This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;
yet after them people approve of their boasts.
Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning…
But God will ransom my soul..,
for he will receive me.
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,
when the glory of his house increases.
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.
For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed—
and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—
his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,
who will never again see light.
Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49:1-3,5-20
The psalmists ponder in song many aspects of and responses to riches. Admitting to tempted fear of the rich because of the influence they wield, often by cheating or oppression, they contemplate with an eternal perspective and put to rest these concerns. Pomp, things, and earthly glory do not last, and neither rich nor poor, wise nor foolish, can take anything to the afterlife. The need for ransom at death is the great equalizer for all mankind. All will face the Lord as bereft sinners, and no earthly wealth suffices for redemption. Only God can ransom a soul, through His Son, Jesus. (Psalm 73:3-19; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:27; 10:10-14)
Looking here and there makes for a distracted heart. There will always be someone in easier circumstances, who shines brighter and looks happier. But the Lord would strum our heart strings with His grace to fix our eternal treasure with Him, so we know and can sing of true contentment.
Where am I unsettled over another’s wealth, success, or apparent ease? For what good gifts, including salvation, can I thank my Lord this day? How will I assure, and rejoice in, my heavenly inheritance? (James 1:17; 1 Peter 1:3-7)
“Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.” ~Irish, 8th century
Lord, keep me thinking rightly about true treasure, that my confidence and joy remain in You alone.
As the rain and snow 