SCRIPTURE: Psalm 49
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. [Psalms 49:6-9]
But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. [Psalms 49:15]
So what advantage is there in being wealthy and successful in this life?
The psalmist suggests that the rich have the appearance of happiness and success, but their gains in this life are all hollow, fleeting, undependable.
Being rich cannot save you from the misery of death; those who invest themselves only in this life, for this life, end up losing it all.
But those who put God first, those who are confident in Him and in living a God-honouring life can be assured that they will prosper (succeed) in the end – for God will snatch them from the power of the grave!
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? [Luke 9:23-25]
To be a Jesus-follower is to switch priorities away from worldly wealth and success to godly wealth and success.
Yes, this involves denial, investing oneself in loving and serving God and people; yes, it is hard because it goes against the grain of our own nature, and of the world around us.
While everyone else is thinking about how to get richer and happier in this life, as Jesus-followers we are thinking about how to get more loving, more generous, more like Jesus in this life.
Yes, this change in focus will put us at a disadvantage in the world, others will pull ahead of us and seem happier and more successful.
But while they are storing up temporal treasures, we will be storing up eternal treasures.
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. [Matthew 6:19-20]
Today’s psalm challenges us to prioritize God’s way – to trust God and not money, to live for God and good, and not for happiness or wealth or success.
In the end, this investment will pay dividends that will last forever.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the reminder that happiness is not found in the accumulation of things, but in loving and living for You and others – this is life worth living, now and forever!