The Faith of Self-Reliance (verses 13-20)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2049:13-20&version=NIV
May our faith in God reject the naïve assumption that wealth
is God’s blessing for righteous living. May we place our trust in God alone. We
brought nothing into this world and we will take nothing out with us. Affluence
often makes us proud and independent. Poverty often makes us bitter and
covetous. This psalm instructs us in the way of wisdom: if we follow God’s
wisdom, we can avoid both arrogance and envy.
Forgive us,
Lord God, for thinking that our wealth is Your blessing. Help us to place our
trust in You alone. Redeem us from the realm of the dead; take us to Yourself.
Give us Your understanding—of ourselves and of Your Word.
Lord, our God, preserve our hearts from covetousness, and
grant us true wisdom that we seek not after the treasures of this earth, nor
put our trust in uncertain riches. Fill our hearts with contentment, that,
satisfied with daily bread, we seek first the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ
and inherit with Him. Amen.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
No comments:
Post a Comment