We’ve all heard it… “You can’t take it with you!” But how many (even Christians) act like it’s really true?! We know that death is an inevitable reality… We know that there is nothing that we take to the grave (or put in it, as some have) that can be used. A person may be ever so intimidating because of their wealth this side of the grave… they hoard, bribe, threaten, buy influence, and bully others… but then they die and their power to do that stuff anymore simply evaporates. Everything they had goes to someone who may simply squander and waste it… After all, how powerful is Caesar or Nebuchadnezzar today?
I don’t know if you’ve ever borne the brunt of all that intimidation… But I read a Psalm this morning that helped give it some perspective for the righteous…
“Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! …
“Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol (i.e. death), for He will receive me! Selah
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself — his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.” (from Psalm 49 ESV)
To that I would only add the words of Jesus regarding the rich fool… “God said to him, ‘FOOL! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God!? (Luke 12.20-21)
Coffee With The Lord 