Fleeting Riches, Eternal Trust

Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them. Psalms 62:10 (NKJV)

Read Psalms 62:9-12

You may recall Bernie Madoff's financial pyramid Ponzi scam from the 1990s. Initially, investors were attracted to the consistent and impressive returns. Madoff used new investors' money to pay out returns to earlier investors while keeping a healthy cut for himself. He is estimated to have defrauded investors of $65 billion, affecting 40,000 people from 125 countries (source). 

In Psalm 62:9, David writes, “Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor.” This verse serves as a warning about where we should place our trust. Forty thousand people trusted that Madoff would make them rich, only to have their investments disappear. The message here isn’t just about the highborn—the rich—scamming the poor; while we may be more likely to trust someone of wealth, the lowborn can also prey upon others, such as drug dealers.

David tells us not to trust in temporary and idle promises but in God. Riches may tempt us to turn our heads away from God, overinflating our opinions of ourselves thinking we don’t need God because we have money. Riches never replace our need for God! David knew what it was to have riches, but he also knew where to place his trust—in God, who holds genuine power. Spiritual strength doesn’t come from a balance sheet; it is extended to us by His grace. When we recognize that God has the power, we exercise humility. In confessing our wrongness of thought, God extends mercy. 

Gracious God, who provides all we need, we give You thanks. Help us not to be tempted by things that distract us from You. Those things that appear “too good to be true” are often attempts to lure us away from Your path. Help us to remain steadfast, acknowledging that You are our strength. We find forgiveness, mercy, and true riches that cannot fade in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

Rife, K. (2021, April 7). How much money did Bernie Madoff steal in his Ponzi scheme? Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/how-much-money-did-bernie-madoff-steal-ponzi-scheme?form=MG0AV3