Scripture

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

Quote

Our wants are many but our needs are few.

~Gerald H. Wilson

The inevitable temptation of wealth is that we will rely on it rather than God. We live in a culture that is fascinated with the rich and famous. This is why the gossip tabloids are everywhere and sell like hot cakes. People secretly admire the rich and famous and want to be like them. Knowing the odds are against them, they settle for TV or tabloids which they use to ignite their fantasies so they and enter into the experience of the rich and famous. Charles Spurgeon speaks of sycophancy which I had to look up and as best I can tell, it refers to kissing up to the rich and famous. By the way, Jesus never kissed up to the rich. He treated them the same as He did others. There is a lesson to be learned here: money and wealth have a huge influence on humans but God is never impressed with wealth. In this world it is big, but in the next it is of little consequence. Which world are you living for?

The point is: no matter how wealthy you are, you cannot redeem your own soul. You may have a billion dollars but it will not stop you from dying. The Hebrews have no verb for ‘have’ because you cannot have anything, even life itself. You may have some things right this second, but you are not going to keep them. Death will nullify your ownership. We can’t redeem ourselves with money or good works. Our feeble attempt to be righteous will not even pay the interest on the debt we owe. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and give My life as a ransom for many.” {Mark 10:45} The Psalmist said,  “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves…they die like beast.” A beast lives for one thing, self-preservation. They don’t look up, they don’t worship; they just look for the next meal and a place to sleep.

Extra

Two days of summer {90 plus degrees} and I am tired of it. I do not do well in the heat. The dew is to heavy to work early and the mosquitoes are horrible in the evening. I knew this would happen. I think we got a rain last night, Neel got one before dark. It should be a good year for corn.

Kathy Taylor asks me last night what my views on Israel were and I shared with Isaiah 43:21, I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world. I believe we should stand with Israel, which means I think President Trump made the right call. Islam is a hate religion and our mortal enemy. I believe our motto should be trust God and stand with Israel. Unfortunately, the dems and the media stand with Islam. Thank God they are not in control or we would be in a lot of trouble.

Have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.

 

puncher, I plan to stay in today and read. I hope you have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.