June 28, 2017 (Wednesday)
A rich man died. He had been fabulously wealthy. Some asked, “How much did he leave?” and the answer came, “All of it. He left it all behind.”
Jesus told the story of a man who was so enmeshed in his possessions that he could not think of anything else. He made big plans for his future. Then God spoke to him, saying, “You are a fool. You will die tonight. Then who will own all this?”
Jesus emphasized the priority of faith and love for God over temporary rewards and earthly treasure. He urged, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, but lay up treasures in heaven, which are permanent.”
Psalm 49
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Folly of Trusting in Riches.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
I. INTRODUCTION: LISTEN UP, EVERBODY! (1-4)
1 Hear this, all peoples;
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.
3 My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will express my riddle on the harp.
II. I’M NOT AFRAID OF MY RICH ENEMIES (5-12)
5 Why should I fear in days of adversity,
When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,
6 Even those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the abundance of their riches?
7 No man can by any means redeem his brother
Or give to God a ransom for him–
8 For the redemption of his soul is costly,
And he should cease trying forever–
9 That he should live on eternally,
That he should not undergo decay.
10 For he sees that even wise men die;
The stupid and the senseless alike perish
And leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inner thought is that their houses are forever
And their dwelling places to all generations;
They have called their lands after their own names.
12 But man in his pomp will not endure;
He is like the beasts that perish.
III. I’M NOT AFRAID OF DEATH (13-15)
13 This is the way of those who are foolish,
And of those after them who approve their words. Selah.
14 As sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
Death shall be their shepherd;
And the upright shall rule over them in the morning,
And their form shall be for Sheol to consume
So that they have no habitation.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol,
For He will receive me. Selah.
IV. WEALTH IS TEMPORARY; FAITH IS PERMANENT (16-20)
16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.
18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself–
And though men praise you when you do well for yourself–
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They will never see the light.
20 Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,
Is like the beasts that perish.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Folly of Trusting in Riches.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
I. INTRODUCTION: LISTEN UP, EVERBODY! (1-4)
1 Hear this, all peoples;
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.
3 My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will express my riddle on the harp.
II. I’M NOT AFRAID OF MY RICH ENEMIES (5-12)
5 Why should I fear in days of adversity,
When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,
6 Even those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the abundance of their riches?
7 No man can by any means redeem his brother
Or give to God a ransom for him–
8 For the redemption of his soul is costly,
And he should cease trying forever–
9 That he should live on eternally,
That he should not undergo decay.
10 For he sees that even wise men die;
The stupid and the senseless alike perish
And leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inner thought is that their houses are forever
And their dwelling places to all generations;
They have called their lands after their own names.
12 But man in his pomp will not endure;
He is like the beasts that perish.
III. I’M NOT AFRAID OF DEATH (13-15)
13 This is the way of those who are foolish,
And of those after them who approve their words. Selah.
14 As sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
Death shall be their shepherd;
And the upright shall rule over them in the morning,
And their form shall be for Sheol to consume
So that they have no habitation.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol,
For He will receive me. Selah.
IV. WEALTH IS TEMPORARY; FAITH IS PERMANENT (16-20)
16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.
18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself–
And though men praise you when you do well for yourself–
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They will never see the light.
20 Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,
Is like the beasts that perish.
Spiritual Treasure:
Words by Fanny Crosby, Tune by Mrs. Joseph Knapp 1873 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. Chorus: This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels, descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. Words by Henry Burns Hartzle circa 1894 The treasures of earth are not mine, I hold not its silver or gold, But a treasure far greater is mine, I have riches of value untold. Chorus: Oh, the depth of the riches of love, The riches of love in Christ Jesus, Far better than gold or wealth untold Are the riches of love in Christ Jesus! The treasres of earth must all fall Its riches and honor decay But the riches of love that are mine Even death cannot take them away Come, take of the riches of Christ Exhaustless and free is the store Of its wonderful fullness receive Till you hunger and thirst nevermore. |