Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 49:16-20
Ps 49:16-20
16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. 18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper--19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. 20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
1 Tim 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
A young man came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments (they were still living under the Law of Moses) and the man asked which ones? Jesus then summarized the Ten Commandments as the basis of the law. The young man said he had kept these since his youth and asked what else he needed to do. Jesus said he lacked only one thing; go sell what you have, give it to the poor and come follow me. The man went away sorrowful because he had great wealth. Jesus then observed to his disciples that it was hard for a rich man to enter into heaven.
This surprised them because they operated under the same illusion that many do today; that our wealth shows we are pleasing to God – after all, he has blessed us abundantly. The point Jesus made is that we cannot put our trust in riches or the things of this world. We are to lay up treasures in heaven. On another occasion Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. We either serve God or mammon. Either God is first in our lives and our trust is in him or we put the things of this world ahead of God. This is why Paul says that greed is idolatry.
O Lord, my Lord and God, I come to you with thanksgiving for all you have given me in more ways than I can count. I realize that compared to most of the world you have given me great riches. I also know that the greatest wealth of all is the ability to be called yours and to know that I have the promise of the eternal mansion in the heavens. As the Preacher of old, keep me from being poor lest I steal and take your name in vain but also keep me from being full lest I deny you and your wonders in my life. Help me use all you give me to your glory and keep me from being selfish or greedy. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
