April 10, Envious

Today’s reading: Psalms 46-50

“Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die,their splendor will not descend with them”
- Psalm 49:16-17.

In today’s world, wealth has increased at a rapid rate but so has poverty. The Internet and media shows highlight the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and it is easy to become a bit envious (or a lot envious) of those who have so much, especially when you have so much less. The psalmists today cautioned their generation against being ‘overawed’ when others gain much. To put things in perspective, the writers reminded the readers that the wealthy are going to die and they will take nothing with them. Jesus gave similar advice:

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done (Matthew 16:26-27).

Are you envious of the wealthy? Are your eyes set on the temporal or the eternal? Are you working to earn what will not and can not last, or are you investing in eternal things that cannot perish?