Title: Psalm 49 (2010.7.20)
Contents
Title: The Folly of Relying on Wealth
Main text: (Psalm 49:1~20)
Hymns: 492. For a while I live
Date: July 20, 2010 (Tuesday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Grand Worship Room
People want to live well materially. You want to make a lot of money. Therefore, eating well, dressing well, and living a luxurious life is one of the wishes of people. However, if you vaguely became rich just for the sake of escorting your body, and your goal is to earn money only for your prosperity, then that life is not a life of success. Rather, it is a life of failure.
What does the psalmist want to hear here? It is about the folly of relying on wealth. Why is it foolish to rely on wealth?
First, because they cannot save themselves or others (verse 6).
Wealth should be treated as a gift from God. When it is accepted that God has given it for a purpose, it is used to save oneself and others. However, those who depend on wealth, when they are in a position to take the place of God, are never used for the life of their brother. Rather, it will only harm my life and my brother's life.
You must know that money is incompetent in order to be saved. You may be able to buy a golden bed, a fine and elegant jewel, and a name and fame with money, but it has nothing to do with salvation. Those who trust in riches should listen to the words of James.
(James 5:2) “Your riches are rotten, your clothes are moth-eaten, and your gold and silver are rusted, and this rust will be a witness to you, and it will eat your flesh like fire.”
Second, it cannot be used for love for one's brother (verse 7).
“Ransom” is money given to atone for sins. A tax paid as a ransom or bail. During the post-exilic census, half a shekel per man was used as a ransom for life. A typical shekel weighs 11.46 grams, and a shekel is not a lot of money. In Matthew 17:27, Jesus told Peter to pay the ransom in the temple and gave him a shekel of money in the mouth of the meat. However, those who depend on riches cannot use even a small ransom enough to fit in a mouthful of meat for their brother.
We should not depend on wealth. We must cast away the shadow of money, dwell in the shadow of God, and remain in the shadow of power, love, and hope. So that material things are used for love and not dragged into the danger of greed, luxury, debauchery, and pride.
Third, because all the riches they depend on become other people's (verse 10).
Wealth has nothing to do with eternal life. No, we cannot buy the real peace, righteousness, joy, and peace that we enjoy right now. Money is the power to buy anything, but it cannot buy a rotting life into an incorruptible life. The kingdom of God, grace, and hope cannot be lived any more. Then life comes to an end. What will happen to your wealth on the day of your death?
You cannot take it. There is no use taking it. The kingdom of God is a place where the twelve pearl gates are full of all kinds of precious stones. The foundation stones of the fortress are 12 kinds of gemstones, and it is impossible to say all of them such as green gemstone, red agate, public information stone, etc. The road to the castle is pure gold like glass. There is no need for the sun and the moon to shine on it, for it is a place where the glory of God shines, and the Lamb is a lamp. You don't need to bring your wealth here. Don't rely on wealth, but use it according to God's will.