Psalm 49:18-19

Psalm 49:18-19

The light of life

Yes, prosperity does buy popularity! How often we have heard the sad stories of the rich and famous who accumulated large numbers of “hangers-on”, and yet when they looked for a true friend or confidante, there was no one there! 

The Psalm writer takes this one step further, he argues that it is possible to live a wealthy life and to consider oneself truly blessed. I’m sure there are countless pop stars, sports people, celebrities and the like who have sprawling mansions, large estates, amazing cars and everything else they could possibly want and who would agree. They can go where they want, eat what they want and indulge themselves in whatever takes their fancy. These are not all greedy, self-satisfied, evil human beings, some are truly grateful for their lot and have a sense of being extremely fortunate. They enjoy the plaudits of friends and family and share their good fortune with those they love. However, the end is still the same! Whether they live isolated from others and keep their riches for themselves or whether they are generous and content, the end is still the same. 

There comes a day for all men and women, whatever their lot, when the light of life departs from them. For those who were in the public eye, the passing makes brief headlines, and some close associates remind the world of how wonderful they were. But the world’s richest people and the homeless on park benches all end up going the same way in the end and very soon they are forgotten. 

The “light of life” is a phrase used to describe the resurrection! In Isaiah 53:11 we read of Christ that, “After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.” If the light of our life is on this earth, then however prosperous we may be, death will inevitably remove it from us. If the light of our life is in the Lord God, then we will be satisfied on earth, and enjoy heavenly riches that cannot be measured. It’s win win! Hallelujah! 

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