Hear this all ye people, give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

The sixth time that the phrase ‘live for ever’ is mentioned.

The sixth time that the phrase ‘live for ever’ is mentioned in the bible is in Psalm 49 verse 9.

So that he might continue to live for ever and not experience death.

There are bible commentators who credit King David with this Psalm whilst some say it is was written by the sons of Korah who were masters of the choir. Others say that the author is unknown.

All inhabitants of the world are addressed.

The author of Psalm 49 addresses all inhabitants of the world. The Psalmist addresses believers and unbelievers alike. The Psalmist says that he or she has profound wisdom to share which goes like this: without GOD we are as beast that perish and no amount of wealth will save any of us.

The author thinks that this information is so important that all people, all inhabitants of the world should hear about it.

Listen to this, all you nations! Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world!

Why should I be afraid in times of trouble
when I feel overwhelmed by the bad treatment I receive from the wealthy?
Wise people die as do the foolish and unbelievers and all leave their wealth behind.
They are like animals that perish.
They will travel to their graves like sheep with death as their shepherd.
God is my shepherd, he will save me from death.
So that I may live for ever …
Eternal life is not for sale.

The message of Psalm 49.

In Psalm 49 the poor are comforted and told not to worry when the rich take advantage of them. The Psalmist tells the poor and disadvantaged that the rich already have their reward. And none will be able to take any of their riches with them to their graves. The graves of the rich, the foolish and spiritually insensitive will be their permanent dwelling place and they will never see the light again. Wealthy as they may be today, in the end they will die like animals. But there is hope for us who wait for Him and trust in The LORD for our salvation, He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.

He that is our God is the God of salvation;
and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

Jesus reiterates the message of Psalm 49

Jesus reiterates the message of Psalm 49 when he says,

Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.
Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh …
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

My family has always been relatively well off and I never quite understood the, ‘Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.’ What is wrong with being rich?
Well for starters, if you have more than the people around you, that means that you’re not sharing. Jesus told a parable to this effect about a rich man who did very well during his lifetime and a beggar ‘desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table.’ Long story short, the rich man ends up in hell and the beggar ends up being comforted by Abraham. When the rich man asks if the beggar can please come and help to relieve his torment a little, the rich man is told by Abraham,

Remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things,
and likewise Lazarus evil things:
but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

The advice given by Jesus in this parable is, to listen to Moses and the prophets to prevent this kind of scenario from happening in your own life.

Another parable tells about a rich person building bigger barns to store all his riches and this man dies before he gets to enjoy any of his wealth. With this parable Jesus warns his followers not to be covetousness,

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

It is near impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus made it clear that it is near impossible for rich people to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I know what he is talking about because I’ve been that rich girl living in a mansion on the beach, driving my Jaguar flanked by a couple of massive pedigree dogs and super cute offspring, wearing designer gear and dining out most days. I’ve been there and done all that till I tumbled mightily when I became ill and hubby suffered from memory loss where he was found holidaying on De Nile with no recollection of a marriage contract. I know what it is like to live rich. I still do. Only this time it is by the grace of GOD and I take nothing for granted. My life and wealth are entirely in GOD’s hand and always have been. The difference between now and then is that, now, I have submitted to GOD’s will. Whilst, then, I was under the mistaken belief that my husband was the one.

After 27 years I received a long overdue wake-up call which cost me a mighty amount of money to the point where I am now what one would call flat broke. But never happier, never more blessed, never more content, never more loved or comfortable. All the money in the world does not make anyone happy. My joy and happiness are found in GOD’s Word, everything else comes second. I have experienced wealth and riches and I know that all is in GOD’s hand and everything in life is controlled by GOD always. With GOD all things are possible and I have no greater pleasure in life than to share that message.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

You cannot serve GOD and riches

This day is salvation come to this house.

We know that some people in Jesus day got the message too, because there is the story of Zacchaeus, a rich guy who became remorseful after he met Jesus and promised to do better.

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Take no thought for tomorrow.

Psalm 49 finishes as follows,

Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

All riches, health, wealth, joy and happiness come from GOD. Once more I was re minded of this when I was researching on how to become financially independent. I was learning how for instance to gain ‘followers.’ One of the recommended ways is to ‘follow’ other bloggers who in turn then will ‘follow’ me. But I just cannot get my finger to press that button that says ‘follow.’ My heart and mind keep telling me that I follow one and one only and that is The Father and His Son. And so these marketeers keep telling me that if I want to make any kind of profit I will have to get myself some followers. Stands to reason, doesn’t it?

I just cannot press that ‘follow’ button. I can click where it says ‘like’ and I can click where it says ‘sign up to receive updates or ‘get rss’, but I haven’t as yet been able to click the button where it says ‘follow.’ And as far as profits are concerned, yes I like pretty and fancy things as much as anyone else but I truly am after a different kind of prophet. His name is Jesus. And that’s the truth.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Hear this all ye people, give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.