Dishonest Wealth (Psalm 52)

There are honest business people whose customers trust them, but how many others build wealth on lies instead of honesty? Let’s begin in Psalm 52.

Do people in our world boast about their crimes, plot destruction, and tell lies?

[For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”] Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior? Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever? All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies. You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. Interlude (Ps 52:1-3 NLT)

What is the ultimate end of those who speak destructive words, all deceivers unless they repent?

You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue. God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah. (Ps 52:4-5 WEB)

Who is our true refuge? What substitute do people often seek refuge in?

The righteous will see and be in awe; they will laugh at those people: “Look at them! They didn’t make God their refuge. Instead, they trusted in their own great wealth. They sought refuge in it—to their own destruction!” (Ps 52:6-7 CEB)

What happens to those who stay in God’s house, where His people meet?

But I am like an olive tree growing in God's house, and I can count on his love forever and ever. I will always thank God for what he has done; I will praise his good name when his people meet. (Ps 52:8-9 CEV)

What is perhaps the biggest lesson that the rich in this world need to learn?

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Tim 6:17 ESV)

There are honest business people whose customers trust them, but how many others build wealth on lies instead of honesty? You decide!