Wealth and seeking security in oneself creates false confidence...
12People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.
13This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.d
14They 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.
15But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
he will surely take me to himself.
16Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish. (49:12-20)
ACTS 26
Paul gives his testimony to King Agrippa...
15“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’19“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”24At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”25“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”28Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
JOURNAL
God appoints Paul as a servant and as a witness. This appointing of Paul as a servant is really what salvation is all about. We are restored as servants of God rather than as shamed, rebellious men and women seeking to be God instead of serving him. This is what the verses in Psalm 49 are all about. Trying to be our own God through building wealth is pointless and destructive in the end.
I don't think this is saying that we are to be lazy and not use our brains. It is not necessarily the actions but the reason for the actions that matters. If my objective for work is to build wealth and have success so that I can become better than those around me...so that I can puff myself up in an effort to become more than simply what I am (a human servant of God), then my efforts will be pointless and futile. I will never find true satisfaction and peace...I will simply find anguish and insecurity and fleeting moments of happiness.
If however I work daily to serve God in obedience, being content to be all he created me to be. Then I find contentment and satisfaction in my abilities without shame. Then I can live a life of peace no matter the circumstance...rich or poor, in sickness or in health, in good times and in bad. This is the hope and the joy of living life as a servant to God.
I don't think this is saying that we are to be lazy and not use our brains. It is not necessarily the actions but the reason for the actions that matters. If my objective for work is to build wealth and have success so that I can become better than those around me...so that I can puff myself up in an effort to become more than simply what I am (a human servant of God), then my efforts will be pointless and futile. I will never find true satisfaction and peace...I will simply find anguish and insecurity and fleeting moments of happiness.
If however I work daily to serve God in obedience, being content to be all he created me to be. Then I find contentment and satisfaction in my abilities without shame. Then I can live a life of peace no matter the circumstance...rich or poor, in sickness or in health, in good times and in bad. This is the hope and the joy of living life as a servant to God.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
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