The Folly Of Riches Series

PSALM 49 The Folly of Riches

I. THE PSALMIST'S SUMMONS (1-4)

The Call - 1 Hear this, all ye people;

The Crowd - 1 give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

2 both low and high, rich and poor, together.

The Cause - 3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom;

and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

The Counsel - 4 I will incline mine ear to a parable:

The Accompaniment - 4 I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

II. THE PSALMIST'S SERMON - The Ultimate Futility of Wealth;

THE LIMITATIONS OF WEALTH.

Money cannot buy -

A. Rest - 5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

B. Redemption - 6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother,

nor give to God a ransom for him:

C. Resurrection -

8 for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever

9 that he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

THE LEGACY OF WEALTH.

It's Surety - 10 For he seeth that wise men die,

It's Scope - likewise the fool and the brutish person perish

It's Stop - 10 and leave their wealth to others.

of John D. Rockefeller "how much did he leave?" "He left it all." 1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out

THE LOSS OF WEALTH.

A. loss of Place - 12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not:

he is like the beasts that perish.

B. loss of Power - 14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them;

and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

C. loss of Prestige - 16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17 for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

D. loss of Privilege - 19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

III. THE PSALMIST'S SAVIOUR

Brings Peace - 5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil,

when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

Brings Power - 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave:

Brings Promise - 15 for he shall receive me. Selah.