Psalm 49

“They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.” (Psalm 49:6–7, NLT)

We begin life living for ourselves. We sit on the throne of our hearts. We are wrapped up in things that we can see, touch and hear. But the problem is that these things are only temporary. The Bible confronts us with the truth of their relative value. It teaches that one day they will all be lost as we pass from this life. How valuable will they be to us then? If only we could see them now as we will see them when we stand before God. It is not that material things are evil, but they are not the substance of real life (Luke 12:15).

In Psalm 49, the psalmist addresses the foolishness of trusting in material things but not trusting in God. Since the riches we amass only have value in this life, all that we collect materially will have no value in the next life. Those who boast in riches will be impoverished when they stand before God. The wealth in which they trusted will prove worthless in redeeming their lives from the pit. However, there is one thing we can take with us from this life—that is our relationships. This is true wealth that has value for time and eternity. Our most important relationship is with God.

“But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.” (Psalm 49:15, NLT)

The only way we are redeemed from our sins is by confessing them and believing in Jesus Christ who bought us with His own blood. As we are forgiven and born again, we have a new set of values. We no longer live for ourselves or for accumulating material wealth. We live to please our King and to serve others. We esteem our relationships above all else.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12, NKJV)

When beauty fades, health declines, and material things lose their power to entertain, our relationships will last forever.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that shows us the relative value of things. Keep us from the seduction of the temporal. Help us cherish our relationship with you and with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”