Psalm 49:16-19, 15 (NLT)
So, don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.
Did you ever watch the television show, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”? The host, Robin Leach, would take the viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the material lives of some of the world’s wealthiest and/or most famous people. In his thick British accent, he would gush about the amazing luxury and opulence found in the homes, yachts, automobile collections, and private jets of the super-rich. The show was a big hit and had an amazing 11-year run and for good reason; envy and covetousness are bound up in the heart of every human being.
Today, we have access to all of the same behind-the-scenes looks into the lives of the rich and famous via their social media accounts. The top ten Instagram accounts are all rich and famous people with a combined total of over 1.2 billion “followers” …almost 20% of the earth’s population. I don’t know much about the spiritual lives of these people, but Jesus made it pretty clear that they will have a hard time getting into heaven (Mt. 19:24). Do you struggle with envy? Do you have a hard time avoiding comparing the life that you lead with the lives of others? Do you notice when people have more or bigger or better or newer? Don’t let all of the outward adornments of life fool you. In the end, everyone dies. Though many will have accumulated more than you when they perish, what will be their lot on the other side of this life? Who will be rich, then?
There are four kinds of riches. There are riches in what you have, riches in what you do, riches in what you know, and riches in what you are – riches of character. The psalmist spoke of those who are only rich in the first way – the least important kind of wealth (Enduring Word Commentary). It is important to note that being rich “in what you have” is not in and of itself a sin, unless it was acquired thorough unjust means or results in idolatry. I know many wonderful Believers who are wealthy and live quite comfortably, as an example. Today’s psalm is not directed at them, but at the rest of us, who are either oppressed by the wealthy or just discouraged by what they have in comparison to ourselves. It is a sobering reminder that to focus only on the present or on self-gratification is…lunacy. Apart from God, the one with the most toys in the end does not win, “For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave” (v. 17).
Eternal life is one possession that nobody has enough wealth to purchase…and if you know Christ as your Savior and Lord, you already have something that fame and fortune simply cannot buy. Psalm 49 is one of the strongest statements found in the Old Testament about the afterlife. God gave a similar – and staggering – announcement in Hosea 13:14 when he said, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!” This powerful declaration was echoed in the New Testament when Paul exclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” This is the triumphant cry of the redeemed, so don’t be dismayed or discouraged by the rich. You already have far more than all of their wealth combined.
