Scripture Reading : Psalm 49
Theme : Empty Glory and Real Glory
- Revelation of Riddle (1–4). This psalm is a wisdom poem, dealing with the age-old problem of the prosperity of the wicked (cf. Ps. 73). He had observed that the wicked are prosperous and filled with pride and a sense of security. But the wise psalmist stated that they are no better than the beasts of the field. In the final analysis, the hope of the righteous is better than the false security of the wicked. To understand this riddle, one must understand it from the perspective of God.
- Prosperity of the Wicked (5–12). The righteous do not need to fear in times of trouble because God will protect him. But as for the wicked prosperous, he has a false sense of security. No matter how rich a person is, he cannot redeem his life or lives of others with his money. God will judge him. The wealthy will perish like animals. Money does not make a person different, only a relationship with God makes a difference. Only God can redeem perishing sinners, including the rich ones.
- True Abiding Hope (13–20). The wealthy foolishly boast and trust in their wealth, and the rest of humanity, the common people, seek after the same foolish hope. They are as foolish as animals because they do not think what will happen after their death. Their wealth cannot go with them. They will never see the light of this earth again just like their fathers. As for the righteous, he has real hope because his hope is in God, not money, who will redeem him from the grave. This is true and wise hope.
Praying the Scripture
Money itself is amoral, but the love of money is immoral (1 Tim. 6:10). Money is a great temptation. It gives false hope, false security, and false joy (Luke 12:15). When it becomes a idol, it will never deliver its promises of security and joy, but will actually destroy your soul, your relationships with God and others, and your joy. This is clearly shown in the lives of the rich and fame Hollywood stars who live messed up, broken lives. The Bible often warns people of the idol of money. The whole world is infected with the prosperity gospel. Pray that you will not live for money, but for God. Worship God, not money. You can enjoy God’s gift of money, but do not live for it. One way to fight this temptation is to give money back to God, not so that God will give you more money, but as an act of worship.
经文：诗篇49
主题：虚空与属实的荣耀
- 谜语的揭示（1-4）。这首诗篇是智慧诗，内容关乎恶人得财富的古老问题（参：诗73）。他观察到恶人有钱财，因而满心骄傲，且有安全感。可是，睿智的诗人表明他们不如野地的畜类。在最后的分析中，他总结了义人的盼望比恶人虚假的安全感来得好。若要明白这个谜，就要从神的角度出发。
- 恶人的财富（5-12）。义人在患难中无须害怕，因为神会保护他。至于富裕的恶人，他有的是虚假的安全感。人无论有多富裕，也无法用钱财赎回自己或他人的生命。神会审判他。富人要像畜类一样被灭亡。拥有财富不是关键；与神的关系才是重点。只有神能救赎沉沦的罪人，包括富裕的。
- 真实永恒的盼望（13-20）。富裕的愚人夸耀、信靠他们的财富，而其余的人类、平民也在追寻着同样愚昧的盼望。他们与畜类一样无知，因为他们不去思考死后的处境。他们的钱财是无法跟随他们的。他们永不能再看到世上的光，如同他们的祖先一样。至于义人，他有真实的盼望，因为他的盼望在于神，不是金钱，而神要从墓穴中救赎他。这是又真实又明智的盼望。
用经文祷告
金钱本身不属好坏，但贪恋钱财是恶的（提前6:10）。金钱是个很大的诱惑。它给予人虚假的盼望、安全感和快乐（路12:15）。当它成为偶像时，它是无法兑现给人安全感和喜乐的承诺，乃要毁灭你的灵、你与神和他人的关系，及你的喜乐。这在有名且富裕的好莱坞明星的生活中有所展现；他们过的是混乱、破碎的生活。圣经经常告诫人不要拜钱财。全世界已受到致富福音的影响。祷告你会为神而活，不是钱财。敬拜神，不是金钱。你能享受神所赐你的金钱，但不要为此而活。一个抗拒此诱惑的方式就是把钱归还给神；这是为了敬拜神，而不是叫神能赐你更多财富。
