Bible Reading: Numbers 12 & 13; Psalm 49; Isaiah 2; Hebrews 10
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) (Psalms 49:6-8)
The sons of Korah have given us a wonderful reminder in the Psalms of the folly of trusting in earthly wealth. Wealth is a narcotic for some. Having a great sum of money gives the illusion that you can protect yourself and make yourself secure. It gives comfort knowing that you can pay to fix something that breaks, buy something new if needed, and pay an expert to give the advice or service you need. However, the most precious thing in all of creation is the human soul and it is VERY costly. You cannot redeem your own soul, much less that of your brother.
Whatever you accumulate here on earth is going to wind up in the hands of someone else.
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. (Psalms 49:10)
For some strange reason, the rich person thinks they can build something that will last forever. Matter of fact they try to enshrine themselves in their properties by naming things after themselves.
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. (Psalms 49:11-12)
Now all we have to do is look back at the great monuments of the past and see that men build things and then die leaving those things to someone else. However, as a culture we keep listening to their foolishness and repeating what they have done. The contemporary culture approves their sayings:
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. (Psalms 49:13)
The sons of Korah know the difference between those who believe and those who do not.
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. (Psalms 49:14-15)
Will God redeem your soul from the power of the grave? Or will you die like a beast? The difference lies in where you place your faith. If you trust in Jesus Christ, then the ransom for your soul is paid in full. If you trust in your wealth you will perish. With that said, why do we follow men that don't love Jesus Christ?
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. (Psalms 49:20)
In Christ,
Rody
