The wisdom and understanding that the Psalmist wants to share in Psalm 49 is that God is the ultimate Savior that we can trust. Many people trust their possessions, especially their wealth, for their future. There is nothing wrong with saving for the future or having retirement funds, but when we put our whole trust in them, we are going to be disappointed because wealth cannot save our souls. The material things of this world, such as wealth, can easily be taken away or disappear. Many people lost hope when Bernie Madoff schemed billions of dollars from hundreds of investors. In an instant, many people lost their millions of dollars of investments. Here's what the Psalmist says, "Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave."
God is the ultimate provider, and we can trust Him forever. He provides for our needs and can save our souls from spiritual death. Only the death of our Lord Jesus can match the payment of the penalty of our sins. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." God does not need our wealth because He created everything, including the precious metals, stones, and anything that we create our money from. He does not need our material possessions; He has enough and creates more out of nothing if He wants to. He wants us to believe and surrender our lives to our Lord Jesus as our Lord Jesus because He is the only one who can save our souls from sin.
Let us continue to search our hearts where we put our ultimate trust. Are we putting more trust in our material possessions? If yes, we will always be worrying about our possessions. But if we put our ultimate trust in the Lord, we will have peace because we believe that God will take care of us no matter what happens tomorrow. We may lose our possessions, but as long as our lives are in the loving care of our Heavenly Father, we will be secure because He will take care of us.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you). Where do I put my ultimate trust? Who is the only one who can take care of me and save my soul from spiritual death? Why is it not wise to put my ultimate hope on my wealth and retirement?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that you are my ultimate hope and Savior. You are the only one who can save me from spiritual death and provide everything that I need. Please help me to only put my hope and trust in you. Thank you for blessing me with material possessions or even retirement funds. Please guard my heart from putting my trust and hope in them. In your name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.