The Mystery of Life, Death, and Prosperity…or the lack of it.

Good morning! Please grab your Bible and turn to Psalm 49. When you find it and if you’re able to, please stand for the reading of God’s Word.

Psalm 49 (CSB)

For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah.

1 Hear this, all you peoples;

listen, all who inhabit the world,

2 both low and high,

rich and poor together.

3 My mouth speaks wisdom;

my heart’s meditation brings understanding.

4 I turn my ear to a proverb;

I explain my riddle with a lyre.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble?

The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.

6 They trust in their wealth

and boast of their abundant riches.

7 Yet these cannot redeem a person

or pay his ransom to God—

8 since the price of redeeming him is too costly,

one should forever stop trying—

9 so that he may live forever

and not see the Pit.

10 For one can see that the wise die;

the foolish and stupid also pass away.

Then they leave their wealth to others.

11 Their graves are their permanent homes,

their dwellings from generation to generation,

though they have named estates after themselves.

12 But despite his assets, mankind will not last;

he is like the animals that perish.

13 This is the way of those who are arrogant,

and of their followers,

who approve of their words.

Selah

14 Like sheep they are headed for Sheol;

Death will shepherd them.

The upright will rule over them in the morning,

and their form will waste away in Sheol,

far from their lofty abode.

15 But God will redeem me

from the power of Sheol,

for he will take me.

Selah

16 Do not be afraid when a person gets rich,

when the wealth of his house increases.

17 For when he dies, he will take nothing at all;

his wealth will not follow him down.

18 Though he blesses himself during his lifetime—

and you are acclaimed when you do well for yourself—

19 he will go to the generation of his ancestors;

they will never see the light.

20 Mankind, with his assets

but without understanding,

is like the animals that perish.

This is the Word of the Lord. Praise be to God.

Let’s Pray

Life—well—life is fragile. We don’t like to think about it much — but deep down — we all know it’s true. Whether we’ve felt the sudden loss of someone we love or just noticed how time slowly wears us down — there’s no escaping the reality that death comes for all of us.

It doesn’t matter how much wealth we’ve accumulated, how successful we’ve been, or how clever we think we are—none of us can escape the grave. We can spend our days chasing accomplishments, stacking up wealth, and pursuing success — but in the end — none of it can protect us from the simple truth that our days are numbered.

And yet — as fragile as life is — we live in a world that makes us feel like we can dodge this reality. Look around — and you’ll see people striving to outrun death — the world around us is chasing wealth, filtering their photos to look younger, turning to cosmetic surgery, fad diets, intense workouts—anything to keep the inevitable at arm’s length. It’s as if — with enough money or enough accomplishments — we could somehow keep death from knocking on our door.

And — you know what? For a while — it might even seem like it’s working. We look at those who seem to have it all—money, power, influence—and it feels like they’ve found the secret. They’ve built fortresses of wealth that seem impenetrable.

But deep down — we know better — don’t we? We know — that —no matter how hard we try — no amount of success or wealth can stop the clock. Death hunts us down like a stray dog looking for scraps.

And so — here’s the tension — If death is inevitable, and if it terrifies both the rich and the poor alike—what hope do we have beyond the grave?

That’s exactly the question Psalm 49 confronts head-on. It speaks into that very fear that creeps in when we think about death. It pulls back the curtain on the false security that wealth and success can offer and reminds us of a greater truth — that only God, in His grace, can provide redemption. Friends — there is no amount of money or worldly success that can save us. Only Jesus can.

And that’s the good news— you see — because of Jesus, we can face death without fear. We can live faithfully today — knowing that our hope and our eternal life are secure in Him—not in what we accomplish, not in what we accumulate, but in Christ alone.

We are going to see this amazing reality — from our text — in three profound invitations beginning with the first …

1. The Call

The psalmist starts with a bold call to grab our attention—like he’s standing on a table with a megaphone, doing everything he can to get us to listen. Look at verses 1-2.

Psalm 49:1–2 (CSB)

1 Hear this, all you peoples;

listen, all who inhabit the world,

2 both low and high,

rich and poor together.

Now — the psalmist is not just speaking to Israel here — rather — he’s addressing everyone. In other words — this message is for the whole of humanity — regardless of who you are — young or old, rich or poor, popular or outcast. The psalmist is saying, “Listen up! Everyone needs to hear this.”

It kind of reminds me of when I was young. My mom used to accuse my dad of having selective hearing. She’d say, “You can hear me, but you’re not listening!” And now — I’ve been accused of the same thing! You ever hear someone but your mind is somewhere else? We all do that. We hear, but we’re not truly listening.

You see — listening is different than hearing —listening means to “hear with intention”—it means “to hear someone with the purpose of obeying.” And the psalmist is calling us to listen to his word of wisdom— a word that’s not just relevant for a certain group of people, but for everyone.

In other words — these words are important and we need to be ready to do something with what we’re about to hear. He continues — look at verses 3

Psalm 49:3 (CSB)

3 My mouth speaks wisdom;

my heart’s meditation brings understanding.

Understand — the psalmist isn’t offering us his own random thoughts or opinions here. No — he’s sharing wisdom that comes directly from God. In fact, the Hebrew words for “wisdom” and “understanding” are in the plural — meaning this isn’t just a single piece of advice. Rather the psalmist is opening a treasure trove of insight — a whole vault of wisdom that we need to pay attention to.

And to make sure we are really listening, look at what he says in verse 4.

Psalm 49:4 (CSB)

4 I turn my ear to a proverb;

I explain my riddle with a lyre.

In other words — He’s telling us that before he shares anything with us — he’s first listening to God. It’s a reminder that before we can teach others — friends — we need to be taught ourselves. You see — we can’t speak on behalf of God without first hearing His voice.

Now — the psalmist describes what he’s about to explain to us as a “riddle”— a mystery — if you will. We might call it “The Mystery of Life, Death, and Prosperity…or the lack of it.” That’s his theme here — he’s aiming to remind us of two big things:

First, he wants us to see the truth that death is the great equalizer—no one escapes it. And second, we shouldn’t live in fear of the wealthy or those who seem powerful, because — well — there is no amount of money or influence that can protect any of us from death.

So, let’s keep listening—really listening—with the intent to obey.

2. The Council

Psalm 49:5 (CSB)

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble?

The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.

Let’s be honest—when trouble comes our way — whether it’s financial strain, health challenges, or even relational difficulties—our first response is often fear, anxiety, and worry.And — it makes sense, right? When life starts to unravel — fear and anxiety feels like our default reaction.

But the Psalmist poses a courageous and confident question: — He says, “Why should I be afraid in times of trouble? Why should I be afraid when evil seems to be closing in?” Understand — a man of God looks ahead with calm confidence — even when they’re in the midst of a difficult season.

And — let’s be honest— evildoers are always lurking — they are waiting for the chance to trip us up — just like little snakes striking at our heels. Which reminds me of the prophecy in Genesis 3:15, where God said that the serpent would wound the heel of the woman’s offspring—a promise that ultimately pointed to Jesus— who did just that — He crushed the head of satan by defeating sin and death through His life, death, and resurrection. In other words— the enemy of our soul is a defeated foe. But even so, he’s going to do whatever he can to bite at your heels, and try to trip you up.

Maybe you’ve felt that. Maybe you’ve had moments in your life when it seemed like evil was gaining the upper hand. Maybe you’re in that place right now — perhaps it feels like wolves have been trailing behind you, waiting to surround and devour you. And yet, the psalmist speaks courage into your heart, asking: “Why should you be afraid?”

Tell me — Should you just give in to fear? Should you let them win? Absolutely not! It doesn’t matter what they throw at us, we will not be afraid. Why? — Because, at the end of the day, what are these enemies? They’re just people—mortal, temporary, here today and gone tomorrow.

Brothers and sisters, if you belong to Jesus, you have no real reason to fear. Your enemies are too small and too fleeting to be worth your fear. Remember what God says in Isaiah 51:12:

Isaiah 51:12 (CSB)

12 I—I am the one who comforts you.

Who are you that you should fear humans who die,

or a son of man who is given up like grass?

Dearly beloved — we worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And if you are in Christ — you are an adopted son or daughter of the one true King — and Christian — your Father is the One who spoke the universe into existence. Why should you fear man more than God? Man is mortal — he dies — withering like grass under the scorching sun. But our God holds us up — and there is no enemy that can stand against Him!

But — the question is begging to be asked — what if our enemies are the most powerful, wealthy, and influential people on earth? What if they have every resource to destroy me?!?! And even still — the psalmist says, You don’t need to fear them! Why? Well— because their wealth and their resources and their influence will never redeem them.

A. Wealth Cannot Redeem Us

Think about how foolish it is —to rely on something so fragile and temporary. When we compare the world’s confidence in money to the solid foundation of our trust in God, it’s clear that there’s no reason to be intimidated. Even if they boast and brag about their riches, we can confidently rest in our God and not be shaken by the world’s threats.

Sure — wealth, status, and power can make wicked people feel important and even oppressive toward others — but those who belong to God don’t need to be impressed by their influence or intimidated by their pride. We see the true worth of riches—and we recognize how powerless money really is when it comes to life and death. So — why should we be afraid of something so fleeting, like a moth or a bubble that can disappear in an instant?

And friends—let's be honest—we all need to take this warning seriously. We live in a society that’s absolutely driven by materialism. It's all around us, and as a result, many of us have been deceived into thinking that our money, or the things we can buy with it, will somehow save us. But — the reality is —trusting in money—or in our ability to make money—is a problem that runs deep and affects everyone of us.

But here's the thing — the psalmist is helping us out here. He’s not just showing us why we don’t need to be afraid of the powerful and influential who put their trust in wealth. He’s also pointing out that we are just as vulnerable to falling into the same trap of idolatry as they are. Our hearts are just as prone to put wealth on a pedestal, to chase after security and fulfillment in all the wrong places. We are just as prone to trust in the wrong things.

Look at verse 6

Psalm 49:6 (CSB)

6 They trust in their wealth

and boast of their abundant riches.

Now — this does not mean that there is anything wrong with the mere possession of riches — foolishness consists —not in having wealth but in trusting wealth and boasting in your material possessions.

James Boice comments:

“Since we are eternal creatures, we ought to focus on how we might prepare for eternity rather than on how we might accumulate increasing wealth here and perish with it.” James Montgomery Boice

It's not hard to see that we live in a materialistic culture. Think about it — how often do we hear someone say a person is “doing well in life” based on how much money they have? We tend to measure everything in terms of money — whether it's the quality of a job, the value of a car, or even the success of a church. But this mindset isn’t unique to our time. If you look back through history — you’ll see that the obsession with wealth has been a constant feature of human society in pretty much every age.

One of the most striking examples of the foolishness of trusting in money comes from Jesus in His parable of the rich fool. In His parable Jesus tells a story of a wealthy landowner who has so much stuff that he can’t even store it all. And —what does he do? Well — he decides to build bigger barns to hold it all. In Luke 12:19 He thinks to himself, “self …

Luke 12:19 (CSB)

19 … “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’

But then God chimes in with a wake-up call. God says,

Luke 12:20–21 (CSB)

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’

21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

And friends — this a powerful reminder — that — at the end of the day — wealth means nothing if we’re not investing in what truly matters.

The Psalmist continues — look at verses 7-9

Psalm 49:7–9 (CSB)

7 Yet these cannot redeem a person

or pay his ransom to God—

8 since the price of redeeming him is too costly,

one should forever stop trying—

9 so that he may live forever

and not see the Pit.

Friend — you cannot buy your way out of death — yes — perhaps the more wealthy you are the better health care plan you can afford or the better beauty products or age reducing drugs you can afford to fill your medicine cabinets — yet — even after all of that — everyone — including the rich — will die.

William Plumer once said,

Death laughs at bags of gold,” - William Plumer

The same principle applies to God’s judgment on sinful humanity. You see —It does not matter how much wealth someone might offer in exchange for their soul, the cost is simply too steep. That’s why Jesus asked in Luke 9:25.

Luke 9:25 (CSB)

25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself?

The truth is — we can’t deal with the reality of life and the inevitability of death by using earthly riches. In other words — when it comes to life’s big questions — money just doesn’t hold up.

Tell me — what can we possibly offer God to earn or purchase our escape from the eternal damnation our sins deserve? There’s nothing we can do to change the fact that the wages of sin is death. We can’t just write God a check or offer Him some stock! Our souls are at stake, and without the redemption of Christ, we bear the penalty and curse of death. And friends — this truth should humble us and remind us of our need for God’s grace. Especially considering the reality that death is inescapable…

B. Death is Inescapable

The problem with most people who trust in wealth isn’t that they genuinely believe money can redeem their lives. It’s more about the illusion of invincibility they cling to — thinking they’re somehow above death—that it won’t catch up to them. But let’s face it: the death rate for everyone is a staggering 100%. Yet many of us go to great lengths to avoid confronting this reality.

And — as a result — we often find ourselves living for what’s temporary, filling our calendars with home renovations, youth sports, and family vacations — all the while ignoring the fact that everything we cling to is fleeting—it won’t last.

Younger folks often think they’re invincible — but the foolishness is even more pronounced in older people. Even after friends and loved ones have passed away — we distract ourselves with temporary pleasures instead of preparing for the inevitable day of reckoning. And listen to me — that day will come, whether we’re ready or not — and on that day it will not matter how clever or successful you are.

Lokk at verses 10 -12

Psalm 49:10–12 (CSB)

10 For one can see that the wise die;

the foolish and stupid also pass away.

Then they leave their wealth to others.

11 Their graves are their permanent homes,

their dwellings from generation to generation,

though they have named estates after themselves.

12 But despite his assets, mankind will not last;

he is like the animals that perish.

When we die — whatever wealth we’ve accumulated gets left behind for others. The truth is — you can’t take a single penny with you.

I think about my grandfather — who collected coins his whole life. After he passed away this year, all his great-grandkids sat around a table, dividing up those coins, which now sit in a safety deposit box. They don’t carry any eternal value. Those coins couldn’t save my grandfather, and they won’t save my kids either. In the end, they’re just… coins—holding no lasting value sitting in a box.

Some folks think their houses and possessions will last forever. It’s foolish to believe that the stuff we accumulate will stand the test of time. And yet — deep down — we convince ourselves that our treasures are permanent — that our name and legacy will carry on. But really — that’s just an illusion. It’s like trying to write your name on water—no matter what you do — it won’t last.

I can’t help but think of my grandfather again. While I remember his name, and even his father’s name, I don’t know the name of my great-great-grandfather. Tell me — Do you know the first name of your great-great-grandfather? The truth is, most of us either don’t know or have to really think about it, and that’s our family! But here’s the reality—after just a couple of generations, we’re forgotten. The memory of us gets wiped clean. It’s sobering — but once we’re gone — it’s like we never existed. And honestly — for many people — their lives don’t look much different from the lives of animals. They live for pleasure and stuff, but in the end, they pass on, unnoticed and unsung.

So again, if you’re living for what’s eternal and you feel like you’re being oppressed or pushed aside by those who are just chasing immediate pleasure and status—don’t be afraid. Remember — we’re just pilgrims passing through. This world is not our home.

Friends — may we live for what will never perish — may we set our eyes on our hope of eternal glory in the presence of God! You see— what you and I are striving for is far more lasting than anything this world can offer. The truth is — friends — Jesus stands as a triumphant contrast

C. A Triumphant Contrast

While the world chases after things that fade — Jesus offers us something that will never spoil or fade away. Where everything else is temporary — Jesus is eternal. Where the world is full of uncertainty — Jesus is our solid foundation. He’s the lasting hope we need — He is the only treasure worth holding on to. And this contrast becomes clear in verse 13 of our text.

Psalm 49:13 (CSB)

13 This is the way of those who are arrogant,

and of their followers,

who approve of their words.

Selah

The arrogant represent those who put their trust in their wealth, possessions, strength, and even their own wisdom to save them. As we’ve already seen, the arrogant have fooled themselves into thinking that their earthly things will provide real security and stability. They’ve got their eyes fixed on all the wrong things.

And the foolishness of this mindset? Well — It’s not just a random mistake — it’s how they live their entire lives. Everything they do is driven by the belief that temporary wealth and status are what really matter. They live for social media likes, fleeting experiences, and momentary pleasures. Their lives are wrapped up in things that will pass away, completely missing the eternal value of Jesus.

And you know what’s worse?!?! Their followers approve of their words — in other words — the next generation follows in their footsteps— their kids adopt the same ideas and values and as a result —they make the same mistakes. Rather than learning from the failures of their parents they keep chasing the same empty goals.

Now think about this—people naturally gravitate toward earthly things. No one needs help getting caught up in materialism. There’s no missionary work required to teach people how to chase after things that don’t last.

Parents — listen to me — this truth should deeply impact how we raise our kids. I get it—it’s so easy to buy into the world’s mentality — thinking that giving our children the best toys, clothes, or experiences is what defines good parenting. We start running after the same things the world values—bigger houses, better schools, packed schedules full of sports and activities. We prioritize vacations and weekend tournaments over Sunday school — believing that these are the things that will set our kids up for success.

But in doing so — we can miss the bigger picture. When we focus solely on our children's comfort and achievements — we’re unintentionally shaping their hearts to trust in themselves, their abilities, and their possessions and the result is arrogance and foolishness.

And so — our goal — as parents and grandparents — should be to point our kids and our grandkids to the one thing that will truly last—their relationship with Jesus.

I know that I am stepping on some toes here but this is of eternal importance — look at verse 14

Psalm 49:14 (CSB)

14 Like sheep they are headed for Sheol;

Death will shepherd them.

The upright will rule over them in the morning,

and their form will waste away in Sheol,

far from their lofty abode.

The foolish and the arrogant who trust in their wealth are like sheep being led straight to the grave. Death is their shepherd, guiding them, and they blindly follow without realizing where they’re headed. They’re like cattle, unaware of their fate until it’s too late. Ultimately, death will consume them. Friends — The wicked are being led by a grim shepherd, and this shepherd is taking them to barren pastures where there is nothing but eternal misery.

But here’s the good news—there is another option. There is a triumphant contrast to the dark future of those who have trusted in their wealth. You see — If your worth is not in what you own, if your strength is not in flesh and bone but in the blood of Christ that flowed at the cross, then death is not your shepherd. Instead, you are being led by the Good Shepherd — and therefore — you have nothing to be afraid of. Look at verse 15:

Psalm 49:15 (CSB)

15 But God will redeem me

from the power of Sheol,

for he will take me.

Selah

One of my favorite statements in the Bible is— BUT GOD — Friends — God can and He will forgive you and redeem you!

Now — underline or make note of this word Redeem. “Redeem” is a financial word. And — It speaks to the price that is paid to ransom someone — and in the context of Psalm 49 — it refers to the price that is paid in order to ransom someone from death.

So here's the question: What could anyone possibly pay to ransom someone from death? Well, Psalm 49 already told us that the price is too steep—no one can afford it, and the wealthy should stop even trying (v. 8). There's simply no amount of money or possessions that can buy you or anyone else out of death.

But here's the hope — while we can't pay that price, God can. And He did! What price did He pay? The life of His own Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus came and redeemed us from the darkness of sin by offering His life as the payment for our sins.

Consider Romans 3:22-24

Romans 3:22–24 (CSB)

22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Also — consider 1 Peter 1:18-19.

1 Peter 1:18–19 (CSB)

18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.

Before we can even begin a relationship of faith with Jesus Christ, we first need to understand a hard truth—we are slaves to sin — trapped in an empty way of life. We are bound by sin and the fleeting things of this world. And here's the reality: we can't free ourselves. We can't buy our way into eternal life. We must be bought.

But here’s the good news—God has already paid the price. And we were not bought with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ! Friend — there is no amount of wealth, status, or effort that can rescue you from your spiritual bondage—only the blood of Jesus can.

Even the wealthiest or most powerful among us must lay down their pride and humbly accept that they can't do it on their own. They, like all of us, need Jesus to pay the ransom. Only He can save us from the eternal darkness of hell. Nothing else will do.

Brothers and sisters — just as Jesus rose from the dead — you too will rise — and on that day — you can be confident that God will receive you. That’s the hope we cling to —which is something far greater than anything this world or its oppressors could ever offer. Let that sink in for a moment. This isn’t just a distant hope—it’s the ultimate reality for those who trust in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Now— as the psalmist come to a close he does so with a concluding plea:

3. The Concluding Plea

The palmist takes the last 4 verses to plead with us — He says,

Psalm 49:16–20 (CSB)

16 Do not be afraid when a person gets rich,

when the wealth of his house increases.

17 For when he dies, he will take nothing at all;

his wealth will not follow him down.

18 Though he blesses himself during his lifetime—

and you are acclaimed when you do well for yourself—

19 he will go to the generation of his ancestors;

they will never see the light.

20 Mankind, with his assets

but without understanding,

is like the animals that perish.

So here’s the deal — the psalmist is reminding us not to be afraid — and — I know it’s tough! It can be really unsettling to watch those who reject Christ and stand against God’s Kingdom prosper. But the psalmist is telling us, “Stop letting that get to you! And quit being envious of them!”

Brothers and sisters, we need to keep a kingdom perspective. Why? Because it’s way too easy to get caught up in what we don’t have or the experiences we think we are missing out on. We live in a social media age — where we are constantly bombarded with perfectly edited pictures of others living lavish lives. And — if we’re not careful — envy can creep into our hearts — leading us to take our eyes off Christ and His mission and the result is a fixation on fleeting things and experiences.

And here’s the truth: all of those possessions, degrees, and accolades are temporary. They’ll be left behind because death strips us of everything. So, brothers and sisters, do not envy their wealth.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20

Philippians 3:20 (CSB)

20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Brother — Sister — your citizenship is in heaven — and that’s exactly where your focus should be—on Jesus and His mission to make disciples. Friends, this world’s fleeting nature should not be our focus. Rather — look to Jesus, for through Him, we will be redeemed.

Yes, your hearts may be tempted to fear, and your eyes may be tempted to envy — But I encourage you to keep running to the deep well of Christ’s loveliness. Fix your hearts and your minds on Jesus and all that He promises us in the life to come.

Now, maybe you’re here this morning, and if you’re honest with yourself, you’ve been looking to earthly things for your safety, security, and stability. I want to tell you, friend, that you’ve placed your faith in the wrong objects—and these temporary things will blind you to the reality that death is leading you toward an eternal grave. I plead with you this morning: turn your eyes to Jesus. Repent of your sin and idolatry, and receive your Father’s abundant mercy. Embrace the eternal inheritance that is secure in Christ Jesus.

Lets Pray