Eternal Riches

5 Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? 6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. 7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. 8 Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough 9 to live forever and never see the grave. 10 Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. . . . . 16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. 17 For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. 18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. 19 But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. 20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals. Psalms 49:5-10, 16-20 (NLT).

 

This Psalm teaches everyone a valuable lesson in a world obsessed with wealth, power, and fame --- wealth cannot prevent death or determine one’s destiny (Psalm 49:5-10). Wealth is not a sin.  However, God wants His people to use wealth to help others and glorify His Holy

kingdom here on earth (1 Timothy 6:3-19; see also Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

 

Sadly, those who trust in their wealth and human talents have a false sense of security. Trusting in worldly possessions such as riches, pride, or fame is vain and futile.  Wealth cannot prevent death (1 Corinthians 15:26; see also Luke 12:13-21). No one can take wealth or possessions with them (Psalm 49:10-12, 17; Ecclesiastes 2:18, 21; Ecclesiastes 7:2; Ecclesiastes 9:5). At the moment of death, both rich and poor are naked and empty-handed before God and the only treasure that matters is our love, faith and obedience in God. Whether you are rich or poor, wise or foolish, everyone leaves everything behind after death. No takes anything with them when they die (Job 1:21; Ecclesiastes 5:13-16; 1 Timothy 6:7). Even more, no one can purchase eternal life with God. Wealth cannot buy forgiveness for our sins with God.  Only God can graciously redeem our souls through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-12).  If we have been faithful to God and His kingdom, we possess eternal riches that will never die away (Matthew 6:19-34).

 

References

 

Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.