"Such Is Life"

"Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish." (Psalms 49:20) I usually don't like to end a Psalm on a sour note, but this particular Psalm gives me no choice; as a matter of fact, to say that this last verse could summarize the Psalm, well let's just say that it leaves me wanting. However, it does pound the finishing nail in the coffin of the foolish that trust in riches; it's just that it does not lend anything out to those of us that trust in God; with the exception of this one point, which is, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10) My point is about "Man that is in honour", because we have all been given something to be faithful over, whether that be material goods, people, or knowledge; even the salvation that we have been given is something that is in honour, because it is a precious thing, more valuable that all the riches in the world. In a way, those that trust in their riches as though they are the security of life, they are really no different then those that have been given salvation but do not share what they have been given. I know that might sound a little harsh, and maybe a little judgmental; but truth be told, we are going to be judged on what we have done with what we have been given, so Jesus will be the judge of that. The way that I see it, the rich are not condemned for being rich, they are condemned for trusting in their riches and not trusting in God. Had the rich young ruler done as Jesus instructed him (and maybe he did), he would have inherited eternal life in so doing, which was to sell all that he had and distribute it all to the poor; and just because he would sell all that he had, that does not mean that he would not become rich again, because most that have done it, can do it again. We could see this simple point throughout the Scriptures, that God will bless those that love to bless others; those that give up something for the sake of others are rewarded, in one way or another. Just because a person is rich, that does not mean that they are damned, not if they are blessing others with what they have been given; not if they are trusting in God's provision and not their own riches. The word "understandeth" speaks more than just understanding, it speaks of standing apart, and being distinguished or being prudent; it speaks of giving understanding and instruction, which is to teach others in the values that you have been given, whether those values been financial, spiritual, or just the basic facts of life. Everything that we have been given, if it is not shared, it loses it's value; and if we go to our grave not having given those things away, they become worthless and lost, just as "the beasts that perish", gone without a trace; cut off from existence and undone...
"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:5-10)