Psalm_49
Scripture
Psalm 49:13-20 NIV
This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.”
Observation-What does it say?
Observation-What does it say?
The Psalmist talks about the fate of those who trust in themselves and have pride in themselves and their riches.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Understanding-What does it mean?
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10 NIV
Just to clarify, money in and of itself is not evil.
We need jobs to get paid to make a living, because making a living requires money. Food, shelter, clothes and transportation do not pay for themselves. We need money to be able to give away to those in need, to keep the church going and to support missionaries. Yes, we need money. I don't believe in living life in debt. However, money becomes evil when it consumes our thoughts, our time, usually because of a worldly mindset of wanting more things or to do more recreational activities. The heart is usually discontent.
When money replaces Jesus on the throne of our lives because we put our hope and comfort in what money provides instead of what God provides, that is what makes it evil. It is the LOVE of money that makes it evil.
Life Application
1 Timothy 6:10 NIV
Just to clarify, money in and of itself is not evil.
We need jobs to get paid to make a living, because making a living requires money. Food, shelter, clothes and transportation do not pay for themselves. We need money to be able to give away to those in need, to keep the church going and to support missionaries. Yes, we need money. I don't believe in living life in debt. However, money becomes evil when it consumes our thoughts, our time, usually because of a worldly mindset of wanting more things or to do more recreational activities. The heart is usually discontent.
When money replaces Jesus on the throne of our lives because we put our hope and comfort in what money provides instead of what God provides, that is what makes it evil. It is the LOVE of money that makes it evil.
Life Application
The love of money is rooted in pride, the opposite of a life of humility that Jesus modeled us to have as a Christ follower.
The love of money is rooted in the pride of life. The pride of being recognized for continuing to climb up the corporate ladder. The pride of being able to provide above the needs of your family and the ability to buy and do whatever you want, while neglecting the needs of others. However, the life of a Christ follower must be different. Before I get accused of preaching down your throat in judgment, I have (and sometimes still do) struggle with this. I sometimes pride myself in the education, gifts and talents that the Lord has given me and want to use that for other purposes besides the Kingdom. My family and I have had to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ and what I believe has been His mission for my life. I confess that I get tempted to look at my neighbor who is living life in the world and want that for myself. However, this Psalm encourages me that riches fade, we all die and can’t take any of it with us. Also, as 1 Timothy 6 states, “some people who have been eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
It is unwise to live life for the here and now. We must live life eternity minded. There are doctors and dentists who have chosen to forgo their 6-7 digit figure salaries in order to give free care to those in the mission field and further the Kingdom of God.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Matthew 16:24-27 NIV
Dear Lord, I pray for those like myself who may struggle with a worldly mindset. In this world, we will suffer and have problems as a result of our choice to live life eternity minded, but I know that as we put our hope and trust in You to provide and as we put our faith in what You can do instead of ourselves, that is where true joy and peace will come from that no one can take away from us. Thank you for your encouragement to be content with what we have because of Your promise that You will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) Let there be no one or no thing that we desire more on this earth besides You Jesus. Amen.
The love of money is rooted in the pride of life. The pride of being recognized for continuing to climb up the corporate ladder. The pride of being able to provide above the needs of your family and the ability to buy and do whatever you want, while neglecting the needs of others. However, the life of a Christ follower must be different. Before I get accused of preaching down your throat in judgment, I have (and sometimes still do) struggle with this. I sometimes pride myself in the education, gifts and talents that the Lord has given me and want to use that for other purposes besides the Kingdom. My family and I have had to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ and what I believe has been His mission for my life. I confess that I get tempted to look at my neighbor who is living life in the world and want that for myself. However, this Psalm encourages me that riches fade, we all die and can’t take any of it with us. Also, as 1 Timothy 6 states, “some people who have been eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
It is unwise to live life for the here and now. We must live life eternity minded. There are doctors and dentists who have chosen to forgo their 6-7 digit figure salaries in order to give free care to those in the mission field and further the Kingdom of God.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Matthew 16:24-27 NIV
Dear Lord, I pray for those like myself who may struggle with a worldly mindset. In this world, we will suffer and have problems as a result of our choice to live life eternity minded, but I know that as we put our hope and trust in You to provide and as we put our faith in what You can do instead of ourselves, that is where true joy and peace will come from that no one can take away from us. Thank you for your encouragement to be content with what we have because of Your promise that You will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) Let there be no one or no thing that we desire more on this earth besides You Jesus. Amen.
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-Michelle Gaddi
