Beware thePomp

Psalm 49and

Psalm 73

The Distressing Illusionof Human Pomp

• This person is living in a world that isdistressing to his soul

• v. 5—He has wrestled with his feelings

• He is seeking direction in how to cope and move forward

The Distressing Illusionof Human Pomp

• People live and make a living asthough God does not exist

• They trust in their wealth (v.6)

• They act like they are going to live forever on earth (v.9); they have much pomp (v. 12)

“Never give your hearts to this world or to any of the things in it. A man cannot love the Father and love the world at the same time. For the whole world-system, based as it is on men’s desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of all that they think splendid, is not derived from the Father at all, but from the world itself.” 1 John 2:15-17 Phillips trans.

The Distressing Illusionof Human Pomp

• Christians must consider deeply how we walk in this world and make a living

• We will live in tension if we are being faithful to the Lord

• We cannot be like the world

The Distressing Illusionof Human Pomp

• We must consider our work in light of God’s will

• We cannot do life in conflict with God’s Word

• James 4:13-15

The Distressing Illusionof Human Pomp

• We must give our best (Titus 2:9)

• We must treat fairly and justly those who work for us

• We must obey the laws and be honest about our income

The Distressing Illusionof Human Pomp

• We are to be content with what we have

• Our goal should not be to “get rich”• 1 Tim. 6:9-10• We are called to share and not rely

on wealth (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

The Distressing Illusionof Human Pomp

• We discipline ourselves by being stewards

• We pay the price to do what is right

• Hobby Lobby (Green Family)

The Steadying View ofthe End

• We maintain perspective by keeping in mind that the end is near

• The rich cannot stave off death

• 49:7-8;12, 14, 17,20

• They will face God (73:17-20;27)