Wealth and Understanding

“A man with valuable possessions but without understanding is like the animals that perish.” (Psalm 49:20 CSB)

The fact is: all perish. Not exactly the happiest morning thought, is it? Yet, we all know that death is a reality for everyone. The psalmist makes the point that the rich and the poor, the wise and the foolish all alike are pointed toward the experience we call death. He particularly notes, however, how the wealthy can reek of arrogance as if their wealth constitutes real power in terms of life. The foolishness of such thinking is apparent whenever those with wealth come up short in terms of understanding. They will perish like dumb animals, who also have no real understanding. He points everyone toward the truth of redemption, that there is a God who can redeem life and supply understanding and wisdom with regard to wealth, and power, and influence, so that those who have these may also serve Him as good stewards of what He has supplied.

Wealth is relative. Some have more than others, but all have more than nothing. So, the degree of wealth one has is not the point. The point is whether someone has understanding to go along with whatever degree of wealth he or she has. Such understanding or wisdom comes from God, who gives freely to all who ask for it in faith.

Father, You have blessed all of us and have supplied us with what we need, and many times with an abundance. Whatever the degree of blessing we have, may we serve before you as good stewards of all of it, and may we give priority not to this but to the life of the redeemed. Amen.