Psalm 52
1Why do you boast, O mighty one,
of mischief done against the godly?
All day long 2you are plotting destruction.
Your tongue is like a sharp razor,
you worker of treachery.
3You love evil more than good,
and lying more than speaking the truth.
Selah
4You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.
5But God will break you down forever;
he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living.
Selah
6The righteous will see, and fear,
and will laugh at the evildoer, saying,
7“See the one who would not take
refuge in God,
but trusted in abundant riches,
and sought refuge in wealth!”
8But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
9I will thank you forever,
because of what you have done.
In the presence of the faithful
I will proclaim your name, for it is good.
7“See the one who would not take refuge in God, but trusted in abundant riches,
and sought refuge in wealth!”
I have a friend who has a good job and a nice home but she struggles to make ends meet each month. We have mutual friends who live very comfortably with plenty of money to spare. When my friend and I are alone, she rails against our wealthy friends, insisting that they think they’re better than she is because they have more money. Even though there is plenty of evidence to the contrary, my friend is convinced that our wealthy friends look down on her.
The psalmist warns us of the dangers of trusting in wealth instead of taking refuge in God.
My friend who struggles to make ends meet has lost her way because she’s the one who is trusting in abundant riches and seeking refuge in wealth. Because she has convinced herself that money will solve all of her problems, she resents and demonizes those who have more of it than she does. In her current state, she is unable to see the generosity and graciousness of our other friends – friends who would be surprised to learn that financial status has anything to do with our mutual friendships.
Prayer: Lord God, you alone are the source of our comfort and strength. Forgive us for chasing after false gods. AMEN