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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 8 December 2024:
Psalm 49:1, 2 — Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together!
The truth is the truth; it is unchanging and unyielding; it applies to everyone, rich and poor, young and old, and no one can escape it. The psalmist emphatically pleads with his audience, no matter who they are to listen to the truth and live, rather than be destroyed by deception and denial. Some say, “The truth hurts,” but lies kill.
Psalm 49:5 — Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me.
If you are serving God faithfully, you have nothing to worry about even if everyone is against you.
Psalm 49:5, 6 — …the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Having money isn’t a bad thing, until you begin to trust in your possessions more than God and they influence your decisions more than God’s perfect will, which will cost you everything. Most people cannot be honest with themselves about how much money influences their behavior on a daily basis. As the psalmist says, money incites iniquity and cheating, but we don’t even notice it. Money doesn’t create but rather exposes our lack of faith in God’s provision and our selfishness. Jesus said the first step to following Him is denying self or dying of self, and money is usually the most practical way we see the reality of our “living sacrifice.” If we haven’t given ourselves to the Lord wholeheartedly and placed our trust in Him totally, we will not give beyond what we perceive to be our means; we will not be abundant, cheerful givers; and we will destroy ourselves trying to earn, hoard, and protect. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24) Are you trying to serve two masters?
- 1 Timothy 6:9, 10 — But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
- Hebrews 13:5 — Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Matthew 6:19-21 — Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- Proverbs 11:4 — Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
- Proverbs 23:4-5 — Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Psalm 49:7 — Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life.
Only Jesus in His perfection is worthy to pay the price of our sin and give us salvation.
Psalm 49:10 — For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.
Knowledge and wealth can’t bring you salvation.
Psalm 49:13 — This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts.
Popular opinion favors humanism over submission to God. The lie of self-sufficiency appeals to our sinful, rebellious nature.
Psalm 49:15 — But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.
Only Jesus can save you.
Psalm 49:15-20 — …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.
The psalmist points out the foolishness and blindness of pursuing blessings and praise on earth rather than the blessings and praise of God. Jesus said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul (Mark 8:36)?” It is quite easy to get caught up in the worries of the world and lose the eternal perspective. However, when our daily pursuit is nothing but Jesus Christ, when our eyes remain affixed to Him, we will not be distracted or deceived.
- James 4:14 -- What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
- Job 14:1, 2 -- Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.
- Psalms 90:12 -- So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
- Psalm 89:47 -- Remember what my span of life is; for what vanity You have created all the sons of men!
- 1 Peter 1:24 — All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls.
Psalm 49:20 — Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Without spiritual rebirth through salvation in Jesus, a person is not much different than an animal.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 8 December 2024: Today, recommit to trusting God with all your circumstances, challenges, and concerns, including your finances. Resolve not to worry. Just pray, trust, and obey. (Psalm 49:5)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 