Psalms 49:11

 Psalms 49:11 says, Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. David said that those who put their faith in their wealth believed that it would last forever.   We may have great wealth in the world today and want to believe that it will last forever, but once we die, we retain none of our earthly wealth.  Verse twelve adds, Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.  David reminded them that in death the were no better than the beasts, except that people have a soul which lives forever, either with God as followers of Christ or separated from Him if one is not.  Verse thirteen continues, This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.  David said putting faith in material things instead of God was the folly of those who did so.  It still is today.  Verse fourteen states, Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.  David said that in death those who believed in riches over God would be no better than sheep that had died, and that the upright would have dominion over them.   No matter how rich and powerful a person may be today, after they die, the upright, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, shall have dominion over them.  Verse fifteen adds, But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. David said God would redeem his soul from the grave, not because of his earthly status, but because of his faith in God.   We as Christians can be certain that God will redeem us from the grave.  Verse sixteen says, Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;  David basically was saying that we do not need to be afraid of the rich and powerful.  Their time to rule is limited to this world.  We don't need to fear and certainly don't need to envy them.  Verse seventeen adds, For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.  What David said then always has and always will be true.   After we die, we will take nothing of this world with us.  Verse eighteeen continues, Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.  David said that while a person who put his faith in himself and his riches might live what he thought was a blessed life, that it ended with his death.  We cannot put our faith in the things of this world and believe that they will be with us forever.  Verse nineteen declares, He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.  David said such people would go to the grave and never see the light.  Now, the soul of each individual lives on, but if they would live on in the light, they mist put their faith in Jesus Christ in order to live in the light.  Verse twenty concludes,  Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.  David said that people who lived in honor without putting their faith in God were no better than the beasts.  Earthly fame and honor can never bring anyone everlasting victory.  Only faith in God can.