What Wealth Can’t Buy
Reflections on Psalm 49:16–17
I remember hearing a few tragic stories. One was about a billionaire who accidentally locked himself in a backyard shed, set it on fire, and died. Another story told of a billionaire woman who accidentally backed her car into a pond and drowned.
And then there’s the story I lived.
My mom, who was definitely not a billionaire, was out for her routine run when a tree limb fell and took her life.
What do these stories have in common?
They’re tragic. Sudden. Painful reminders that death is no respecter of wealth or status. As Denzel Washington once said,
“You’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.”
I don’t know the billionaires who died, but I am confident that my mom inherited something far more valuable than any amount of money could ever buy: God's presence.
A Better Blessing + Context
The law did promise blessings in the Old Testament, but not in the way our modern culture defines it. God never handed Israel a divine lottery ticket. It was never about transactional prosperity but about relational intimacy.
God offered something far more valuable:
Himself — His presence, His peace, His provision — for a people who walked with Him.
Psalm 49 is a powerful correction to misplaced awe:
“Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.” (vv. 16–17)
Wealth may expand a house and make you look unstoppable on the outside.
But it can’t preserve a soul.
It can’t extend life.
And it will never travel with you past the grave.
The Real Reward
The true reward of obedience is not what you have, but Who you have —
Yahweh Himself.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t about condemning wealth or demonizing money.
In fact, Scripture talks about money more than heaven and hell combined — and for good reason.
Money reveals the heart.
It magnifies our motives.
It exposes what we truly trust.
Paul echoes this in 1 Timothy 6:7:
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
And Ecclesiastes 5:10 agrees:
“Whoever loves money never has enough… This too is meaningless.”
If we can't take money with us, why do we work so hard to collect it?
Is Hard Work Good?
Absolutely.
Colossians 3:23 says:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Hard work is a blessing when it’s aligned with eternal purpose.
But when money becomes the goal, when fame or status drives our ambition, wealth becomes an idol, and our work becomes meaningless.
I've watched godly men and women work three jobs to pay the bills in hard seasons. That grind has a place — refiners’ fire, faithfulness, and perseverance.
But here’s the warning:
When work becomes a substitute for presence —
purpose stalls, and calling loses clarity.
No matter what job we have or how much we earn, our purpose never changes:
To glorify God.
To love Him and love others.
To reflect Him by being conformed to His image and making disciples.
By the way, cleaning your home, room, yard, or whatever may seem insignificant is very significant. You can still do those things excellently and work hard for the Lord. Minimal tasks are sacred when God is involved! Don’t downplay the value and heart you are showing for tasks.
A Richer Inheritance
The good news for Christians — whether billionaires or bringing in $30,000 a year — is that we’re already rich. If you live in the West, globally speaking, you’re in the top tier of wealth. But even beyond that…
You have something that can’t be bought:
God’s presence, for eternity. Not even death can take you.
As rapper KB:
“Can’t take my Grammys with me,
but I die richer than ever.”
Never Finished Challenge
My hope for you today is this:
Stop comparing your life to your neighbor’s.
Be grateful for what God has given you right now.
Dream big — but make sure your dreams are drenched in God’s glory, not self-glory.
Let your ambition serve eternity, not ego.
If God examined your calendar or bank statement, what would He see?
Would He find someone hungry for His presence?
Or someone just trying to stay “comfortable” or “successful”? Or even someone who is stressed, trying to make it work?
What does today say about God?
God is not short on resources.
I have been on the receiving end of many of His blessings through incredible believers and even some unbelievers every day (and so have you if you pause and reflect)
He’s the One who breathed out stars.
He owns it all — and He longs to give us Himself.
That’s the God who draws me in.
That’s the King I cannot wait to spend eternity with.
What a God.
What a Savior.
Thank you, Jesus.