Are all our economic systems similar at the core, where the powerful feast while the weak hunger? Is a government coming that truly cares for all? Let’s begin in Psalm 49.
Is there wisdom, a riddle that all the inhabitants of the world need to hear?
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. (Ps 49:1-4 ESV)
In what do we put our trust, money or something far more costly?
Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me. They trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches. Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God—since the price of redeeming him is too costly, one should forever stop trying—so that he may live forever and not see the Pit [the grave]. (Ps 49:5-9 HCSB)
Despite all our arrogant conceit and desires to make our mark in history, will we all end up in the same place?
Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others. Their inner thoughts are on their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves. But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals. (Ps 49:10-12 ISV)
Do we approve of the boasting of our civilization despite the folly of it all?
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. (Ps 49:13 KJV)
Is our society built upon greed and corruption that causes needless deaths? Like the rise and fall of all civilizations will ours also end? Who can save us from the grave?
As sheep they are appointed for Sheol [the grave]; Death will shepherd them; And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume, Far away from his habitation. But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah. (Ps 49:14-15 LSB)
Can a rich man living in splendour take his wealth with him after death?
Do not be afraid when a person becomes rich, When the splendor of his house is increased; For when he dies, he will take nothing with him; His wealth will not descend after him. Though while he lives he congratulates himself—And though people praise you when you do well for yourself—He will go to the generation of his fathers; They will never see the light. Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding, Is like the animals that perish. (Ps 49:16-20 NASB)
On whose shoulders will that perfect government be, that is to come?
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6 NIV)
Who will sit on thrones to rule for a literal or symbolic thousand years?
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Rev 20:4-6 NKJV)
Are all our economic systems similar at the core, where the powerful feast while the weak hunger? Is a government coming that truly cares for all? You decide!
