No Reason to Fear or Envy

Psalms 49:16-20 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.

I will begin with the words of the psalmist, "Why should I fear in the days of evil?" King Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun. In today's reading we see that as it has been in the past, so it is present day. Those in power and authority, those who increase their wealth by doing wickedly, are no different than those who have done it throughout the history of mankind. The psalmist describes this as the confidence of the foolish. The foolish person puts their trust in their wealth, and the things of this world. They build their lives on the foundation of their riches, and their power. They scorn and cheat the poor, and use their wealth to manipulate others, bribe, and get what they want. They multiply their riches and believe that they are untouchable. However, they will soon discover that their money cannot buy health. When they lie on their deathbed, their wealth can do nothing for them. All that they have wasted their life to gain cannot buy them what they will need most when they die...forgiveness of sins and eternal life. They can neither buy it for themselves or their loved ones. They perish like the beast. Their bodies are put in the ground, and they open their eyes in hell. All they lived for, and gathered, cannot be taken with them. 1 Timothy 6:7 clearly tells us, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." They leave everything behind to those who will squander it. All that will be left is a memory of them that will eventually fade. So, why do we fear them or even envy them? If we have Jesus, even if we are poor by the world's standard, we are far richer than the wealthiest person on earth who does not have the Lord. Let us not envy the foolish simply because they have power and wealth. The day is coming when they perish, and we, with Christ, will rule and reign. What they enjoy in this lifetime is not to be compared with what we have gained in Christ Jesus. Instead of focusing on how much they prosper, or fear how much power they are gaining, rejoice in the fact that the Lord is "coming quickly, and His reward is with Him, to give to every man according to his work." (Revelation 22:12)

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).