PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 49
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“They will take nothing with them when they die!” (Psalm 49:17)
As a Jesus follower, the Lord speaks to me as I read the bible.
Today’s reading is about the emptiness of wealth and possessions.
I sense the Lord challenging me about what I am focused on.
I am financially secure, and I am a frugal spender!
But the issue is not how much I have, or how I spend… but where my trust lies.
“This is the fate of those who trust in themselves.” (Psalm 49:13)
If I am really honest, do I trust my secure finances more than God?
Am I content because I have stuff and money; would I feel secure if I lost it?
“Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Through all the times we’ve moved, we found lots of stuff to purge.
The Lord is poking into my heart, ‘how important is your stuff to you?’
None of my stuff will matter when I stand before the Lord… so what will matter?
Are not treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20) the people I have loved and blessed?
As a Jesus follower, am I pursuing what really matters?
PRAYER
Lord, money and stuff have always been available to me, so I can’t say for sure where my trust lies. I’m not asking for poverty but for wisdom, contentment and to be rich in the best way possible.
It reminded me of a line in “Fiddler on the Roof” when Tavye goes through a tirade about being poor and asking God if he could be a wealthy man – the last chorus: Lord who made the lion and the lamb,
You decreed I should be what I am, Would it spoil some vast, eternal plan, If I were a wealthy man? He admits that it is not wrong to be poor – but having a bit of wealth would sure make life easier. But the striving for more, seems to be in us all no matter what our station in life – contentment – being satisfied with one’s lot in life, striving to improve and grow – but not for more wealth in possessions etc. Yet the salvation message is there as the Psalmist says in vs 15: But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Such confidence but the not in himself but in God’s redemption! We have it through Jesus – the Psalmist didn’t know how God would redeem but he knew he would!
Volunteering in a thrift store I hear stories of people bringing their parents goods after their parents have died. Their earthly possessions. Items that were of value to them while living are now recycled for others to purchase. Valued items and sold cheaply for their worth was only to their owner. We carry nothing with us when we die. We/I need to use His gifts while living giving a living testimony of His goodness, faithfulness and blessings. All needs to be for Jesus.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be