The news is filled with the rich because the non-rich are intrigued by them. Whether it is the Hebrew shepherd who wants to hear all about King Solomon, or today’s housewife watching documentaries about Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, “regular” people remain fascinated by rich people.
But what good are riches, really? Wealth affords food, shelter, and necessities. It can buy state-of-the-art medical care. It can buy houses, cars, and boats—toys for children of all ages. Money can pay for travel and adventures of every stripe. It can even buy power and fame. Is there anything money cannot buy?
Yes: money can’t buy peace, love, happiness, etc.
And what about the obvious—money can’t even buy health. It can buy time, perhaps. But every rich man will die. Elon Musk, whose fortune recently eclipsed $300 Billion, will probably not make 100 years, no matter what he spends. And 120 is so unlikely it is almost a joke. No amount of money can buy the one thing rich people want most—to stay healthy forever. And after death? Riches certainly cannot buy eternal life.
“They boast in their abundant riches, yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God—since the price of redeeming him is too costly… For one can see that wise men die. Foolish and stupid men also pass away. Then they leave their wealth to others…. A MAN WITH VALUABLE POSSESSIONS BUT WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING IS LIKE THE ANIMALS THAT PERISH.” Psalm 49:6-10, 20.
Consider this inscription seen on a tombstone:
Remember friends, as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I,
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for death, and follow me.
How do you prepare for death? By trusting Jesus alone for salvation. As Shakespeare’s Last Will & Testament put it: “I commend my soul into the hands of God my Creator, hoping and believing, through the only merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour, to be made partaker of life everlasting.”
Without God, the rich will die like animals.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 