FEAR NOT for July 27, 2016: Psalm 49:16-17

"Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him."

BACKGROUND/COMMENTARY (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown @ blueletterbible.org): "Be not anxious since death cuts off the prosperous wicked whom you dread." Chuck Smith also from blueletterbible.org agrees: "the rich with their riches cannot redeem their souls, nor can they take it with ...them."

PERSONAL APPLICATION: This is probably one of the Scripture verses where the expression, "you can't take it with you," came from… We all know that, when we die, we "carry nothing away" with us. Even more clear from this passage is the fact that one's riches cannot save a person. When we die, our riches stay behind here on earth for others to either enjoy or squander away. Like my parents always reminded us:  what will count for eternity will be the lives we have impacted for the Lord, especially those to whom we have witnessed and who gave their lives to Him as a result of our witness.