2 Cor. 11:16-33; Psalm 49

2 Cor. 11:16-33
Even though he feels foolish doing it, Paul again defends his credentials for teaching and preaching the Good News. He also rehearses the many trials he had endured along the way. His goal was to protect the Corinthians from being deceived by the false teachers.

We may sometimes feel that our path is pretty difficult, but think of Paul's. He was imprisoned, whipped, threatened with death, beaten, shipwrecked. He faced robbers and dangers from his own people and others, sleeplessness, hunger, and cold. Besides all this he felt a heavy burden of responsibility for God's people. No wonder he felt anger when false teachers led God's people away from the truth.

Psalm 49
This psalm for the rich...and the poor...which covers just about everybody! And it deals with two subjects that the rich and the poor must consider--money and death.

Money can do many things in this life, some good and some not so good. But this psalm tells us what money CANNOT do.

• It cannot prevent death. We may be able to buy the best care and the best medicine, but when God says our time on earth is up, we can't buy Him off.  "...no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave." vv. 6-8
• Your wealth cannot go with you. The rich and the poor all go to the grave without money or possessions. v. 10,17   As believers we can send it on ahead by laying up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21) How can our treasure be in heaven? By believing God and trusting that He sent Jesus to redeem us who were slaves to sin (vv. 7-9 and 15 show us images of slavery, and we know we were slaves to sin before Jesus paid the price to redeem us from our sin.) Also, we lay up treasures in heaven by obeying God and using our talents and resources for God's work.
• Money cannot buy permanent fame.  "They may name their estates after themselves but their fame will not last." v. 12  Eventually they will be forgotten.

v. 15 gives us as believers hope of a future resurrection. The grave is not the end for us. "But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave."

"So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid." v. 16. Remember that all these things are temporary. They cannot make an eternal difference. As for us, God will supply what we need. Have you ever thought, "I wish I would never have to worry about money again." Well, guess what? You don't!  See Matt. 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34New Living Translation (NLT)

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.