The beast-like Christians
“But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. … A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish” (Psalms 49:12, 20).
The beast-like Christians are foolish (Ps. 49:13). And the fools say in their hearts "There is no God" (53:1). The foolish Christians say that they rely on God but instead of making God their stronghold, they trust in their great wealth (52:7). That is, the beast-like Christian are the ones who trust in their wealth and boast on their great riches (49:6). To these beast-like Christians, God teaches them three reasons why it is foolish to trust in their great riches:
First, the reason why it is foolish to trust in wealth is because we cannot take it when we die.
Look at Psalms 49:17 – “for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.” We don’t need to be overawed or to envy (Ps. 73) when we grow rich, when the splendor of our house increases (49:16). The reason is because we cannot take our wealth and glory with us when we die (49:17). Although we were praised by people during our lifetime congratulating ourselves, 'I am a blessed wo/man' and 'I am a successful wo/man' (v. 18), we must not trust in our wealth because when we eventually die, we go back to our ancestors and will never see the light of life (v. 19).
Second, the reason why it is foolish to trust in wealth is because we will see that we will leave our wealth to other.
Look at Psalms 49:10 -“For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.” We don’t have to envy the prosperity of the wicked. We don’t need to be greedy about the riches of the wicked. The reason is because the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous (Prov. 13:22). Therefore, we should not rely on riches because riches don’t endure forever (27:24). We shouldn’t set our eyes on wealth because it certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heaven (23:5). We should not rely on the abundance of wealth.
Third and last, the reason why it is foolish to trust in wealth is because the wealth can’t redeem our souls.
Look at Psalms 49:7-8: “No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him -- For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever--.” No matter how rich we are, our wealth cannot redeem us from death. The redemption of our lives is very precious. The redemption of our souls cannot be done with money. It isn’t by means of wealth that we live in eternal heaven without seeing decay. We must not trust in our wealth because it cannot redeem our souls.
The beast-like Christians are senseless and ignorant (Ps. 73:22). And the senseless and ignorant beast-like Christian is envious of the arrogant when they see the prosperity of the wicked (v. 3). As they compare themselves who have been plagued all day long (v. 14) with the wicked who are always carefree and increasing in wealth (v. 12), they think that it is surely in vain that they have kept their heart pure (v. 13). As a result, the beast-like Christians serve both God and Money (Mt. 6:24). The beast-like Christians idolize their wealth. The beast-like Christians love money (1 Tim. 6:10; 2 Tim. 3:2). Although we can’t take our riches with us when we die, but we must leave our riches to others, the beast-like Christians trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches (Ps. 49:6). Aren’t we the beast-like Christians?
“Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?”
(Hymns “Alas! And Did my Savior Bleed”, verse 1)