Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived, he counted himself blessed— and men praise you when you prosper— he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 46:16-20, NIV 1984).
My Musings – We do tend to hold the rich in awe and consider them blessed because of it. But riches without understanding of what is really valuable is a curse. While wealth can pay for many things, it cannot buy joy, or peace, or “the light of life” beyond the grave. For one cannot purchase what is free. “For it is by grace [we] have been saved, through faith—and this not from [ourselves], it is the gift of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:8, NIV 1984).
It was “Jesus [who told] his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard [but not impossible] for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'” (Matthew 19:23-24, NIV 1984). So it is with “riches without understanding.” Better by far to have understanding without riches. That is the true “prosperity Gospel.” True is where true riches can be found.
My Advice – It is better to “consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus…[and] consider them rubbish, that [we] may gain Christ and be found in Him.” (Philippians 3:8, NIV 1984). There is nothing more valuable than that.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26, ESV 2016). There is no amount of riches that can be given in exchange.
Go with the gift and hold the riches loosely.
The Brew Is A Musing 