Daily Devotional | Wealth and God

Wellington R. Burt was a lumber baron in the late 19th century and one of the wealthiest men in America. While he was generous with others, he was famously tight-fisted with his own family. He included a “spite clause” in his will that specified that none of his descendants could inherit any of his money until 21 years after the death of his last grandchild. Sure enough, in 2010 his $100 million fortune was divided between his twelve great-great-great-grandchildren.

Psalm 49 addresses prosperity and the wealthy. The “wicked” in verse 5 are people who “trust in their wealth” (v. 6). They find their value in what they have acquired and look down on those in a more humble position (vv. 6, 13). The psalmist points out that the wealthy are often praised in this life simply because they are wealthy (v. 18). Wealth seems to erase moral distinctions. These wealthy are honored and even had lands named after them (v. 11).

However, we do not have to fear these people or be envious of them (v. 5). Nothing they acquired will last in any significant sense: “Their tombs will remain their houses forever, and their dwellings for endless generations” (v. 11). Their incredible wealth will not be enough to redeem their life from the grave (v. 7). Ultimately, their wealth will be left to others and they will be forgotten (v. 10). The Psalmist is confident that “God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself” (v. 15). He knows that death will not have the ultimate say for him because of his relationship with God. His hope is that he will live with God forever.

>> This psalm reminds us that no one is able to redeem themselves from death, “no payment is ever enough” (v. 8). Thank the Lord today for the work of Jesus who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).