Tag: Wealth

Psalm 73

The wealthy and those who are at ease in this life are living on a slippery slope leading to destruction. The condition of the United States in this era (post 2008) is evidence of this truth. In a moment of time the nation went from apparent wealth and ease to devastation and poverty.

Psalm 73

A psalm written by Asaph. This Psalm is quite like Psalm 37 and Psalm 49 (see comments on Psalm 49).

The psalm is written as a teaching poem. It begins with temptation (1-3), description of the wicked (4-14), the wicked will perish (15-20), uncertainty (21-24), victory (25-26), destruction of the wicked (27), and trust in God (28).

Verses 1-3-Asaph recognizes that God is good both in the opening and closing verses. He begins and ends with the goodness of God. However, in-between he reminds us of ourselves. We are tempted to be envious of those who have more than us. We see the grass as always greener in someone else’s house. We covet, envy, and forget that God is indeed good. When we see a desire or a felt need not being met, it is quite easy to forget all the blessings we have due to the focus on the one thing that is missing. Most cases of adultery begin this way.

Verses 4-14-Although Asaph sees the wicked, he is still envious of them. He sees their life of ease and his harsh life and seeks their existence (cf. Malachi 3.13-15). Verses 11-12 show the perversity of their minds. They presume they can hide their sin from God, if there is such a being.

These verses depict not merely the corrupt but those who laud them as celebrity. The people praise the very ones who cause them grief. This is the United States today.

Verses 15-20-Asaph regains focus, not on what he does not have but on who has him. When we are perplexed over the issues of life and its seeming injustice, we need to spend time in God’s presence in order to regain an understanding of who He is and who we are in Him.

The wealthy and those who are at ease in this life are living on a slippery slope leading to destruction. The condition of the United States in this era (post 2008) is evidence of this truth. In a moment of time the nation went from apparent wealth and ease to devastation and poverty.

Verses 21-28-When we are embittered by the successes of those around us, we need to be reminded of who God is in this world. As we draw near to Him, we gain a better perspective on this life.  James 4.8 promises that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

Chris Tomlin’s song “I Will Rise” is good to listen to (it contains verse 26).

Psalm 49

When the harp is laid down, we must ask ourselves the question that the psalmist and countless others have: Do we desire riches more than God? Do we desire luxury and ease more than character? If we do, we are headed for the grave and hell. If we do not, we will find God.

Psalm 49

The origins of this psalm are unknown. What is know is that it was written more as a sermon than a praise or a prayer. This psalm deals with the seeming inequities in the world in terms of monies and is similar yet more thorough than Psalm 37 and Psalm 73. Again it is written by a Korahite (as mentioned in Psalm 44). According to the inscription, it was to be sung. This should remind us that we are to sing psalms, hymns, and teach one another with melodies (Colossians 3.15-17). This psalm is also quite similar to the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in form.

This sermon can be divided into an introduction (1-4), three main points (5-9, 10-12, and 13-15), and a conclusion (16-20).

Verses 1-4-The writer calls for all people to listen to his words. He allows us to see that he has pondered his words and meditated on them a great deal. He has done so enough that he has been able to set them to music. He has been able to provide a solution to an enigma that has plagued the godly for generations. He is going to shed light on the darkness of the understanding of God’s people. He begins his sermon with a pluck of the harp.

Verses 5-9-The writer tells us that wealth cannot save. This is the point of the message. It is also a matter of concern for Jesus. In Mark 10.23-24 and Matthew 16.24-27, He presents this truth to a perplexed group of disciples. We all will die, the rich and the poor, no one will live beyond the time given them by God.

Verses 10-12-These verses are reminiscent of Ecclesiastes as Solomon provides insight into death. All people will die. The fool and the wise, all men are mortal and all will perish like the animals. When we die, we will not be able to cling to our wealth. The grave becomes our home.

Verses 13-15-Jesus points the truth of verse 13 to his disciples as He taught them in Luke 12.20.

Selah -The writer wants us to pause and consider the truth of this and the previous verses. If we all perish, the rich and the poor, what good does it to envy the rich outside of temporary ease and luxury in this life?

The writer continues to describe what will happen to those who trust in wealth and those who trust in God (Matthew 6.24-34). He points out that death will consume those who trust in their riches and that God will ransom or resurrect those who trust in Him.

Selah -The writer wants us to pause and consider the truth of these two verses. It is here the doctrine of the resurrection is presented. It is not a well-known doctrine in the Old Testament. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection because it was not developed enough in the Torah for them to accept it. It is not full developed until Jesus is resurrected and Paul teaches it in 1 Corinthians 15. Depending on how you looked at the first pause above, this should be an eye-opener. The life we live on this earth is short and incomparable to the life we will live throughout eternity. If the momentary pleasures of this world are what you are seeking, you might just miss out on the eternal pleasures of the next world in God’s presence. If you seek God’s presence today, He may bless you with riches or not (see Matthew 6 above). But, He will bless you with eternity with Him. Then, these light and momentary afflictions we experience will seem trivial in light of what He has prepared for us (2 Corinthians 4.16-18).

Verses 16-20-The writer concludes his sermon with a reminder of all that was said. He wants us to ponder: Does it really matter if others become wealthy? When all has been said and done, will it matter that they had wealth for a moment in time? These verses should remind you of the passage from Luke (see above) and Ecclesiastes 3.19.

When the harp is laid down, we must ask ourselves the question that the psalmist and countless others have: Do we desire riches more than God? Do we desire luxury and ease more than character? If we do, we are headed for the grave and hell. If we do not, we will find God.