At times there is a very fine line separating August 4, 2019 the poems we call from the biblical literature we call Wisdom such as in the . Psalm 49 is a classic New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) example of a definite blurring of that fine line. In fact, Psalm 49 sounds sufficiently 1 Hear this, like any number of passages in Proverbs all you peoples; that it basically counts as Wisdom Literature in its own right. The wisdom, or give ear, spiritual advice of the psalm is pretty all inhabitants of the world, straightforward. It can be summed up in 2both low and high, classic sayings of , “You can’t take it with rich and poor together. you!” and “you cannot use your money to 3 buy your way out of death.” My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. But it’s not as simple as just hearing the 4I will incline my ear to a proverb; pslam as celebrating the poor and I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp. castigating the rich. What do you hear the 5Why should I fear in times of trouble, psalm saying about happiness and satisfaction, trust and self-reliance? when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6those who trust in their wealth ?riches their of abundance the of boast and (place underworld - sheol]] שְׁאוֹל :Sheol to which people descend at death) Ps 49:14 7 ransom Truly, no avails for one’s life, there is no price one can give to God for it. ,guilt :iniquity, avon]] עָוֹן iniquity 8 ransom punishment for iniquity For the of life is costly, and can never suffice 9 .grave the see never and forever on live should one that loins, kesel]:] כֶּסֶ ל :the foolhardy thighs, stupidity, confidence, foolishness as in 10When we look at the wise, they die; trusting in your own loins [center of sexual fool and dolt perish together and physical power]. and leave their wealth to others. 11 ,forever homes their are graves Their life, a of price the - kopher]] כֹּפֶר :ransom ransom, bribe, pitch, Ps 49:7 their dwelling places to all generations, .own their lands named they though a is 30:12 Exodus ׳כ נַפְשׁ P of ritual the in 2 half shekel of the sanctuary paid by each 12Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; male above twenty years at the census in they are like the animals that perish. order that there might be no plague upon 13 ,the foolhardy of fate the is Such to על לְכַמֵּר ,Yahweh to offered was It them. atone for them. the end of those who are pleased with their lot. Selah ;Sheol for appointed are they sheep 14Like decay, pit, the shachath]] שַׁחַת :grave corruption… destruction (1), dungeon (1), Death shall be their shepherd; hole (1), pit (18), undergo decay (2). straight to the grave they descend, ;away waste shall form their and rich, become - ashar]] עָשַׁר :become rich make rich, wax rich. A primitive root; Sheol shall be their home. properly, to accumulate; chiefly 15But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich -- be(-come, en-, make, make self, wax) for he will receive me. Selah rich, make (1 Kings 22:48 marg). Ps 49:16 16 Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases.

17 a as defined is Selah exalt. up, lift to selah]:] סֶ לָה : Selah die they when For they will carry nothing away; Hebrew word that has been found at the ending of their wealth will not go down after them. verses in Psalms and has been interpreted as an 18Though in their lifetime they count instruction calling for a break in the singing of the Psalm themselves happy—for you are praised or it may mean "forever."

when you do well for yourself— ,honor dignity, abundance, kabowd]:] כָּבוֹד :wealth 19 they will go to the company of their glory (of external condition and circumstances), ancestors, who will never again see the riches. light. .pomp honor, price, preciousness, yeqar]:] יְקָר pomp pomp; their in abide cannot 20Mortals From yaqar; value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, they are like the animals that perish. costliness, dignity -- honor, precious (things), price.

Luke 12:13-21 LUKE : The author’s name does not appear in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) book, but much unmistakable evidence points to Luke. 13 Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus] This Gospel is a companion volume to the book of Acts, and the language and structure of these two books “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family 14 indicate that both were written by the same person. inheritance with me.” But [Jesus]said to They are addressed to the same individual, Theophilus, him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or and the second volume refers to the first (Ac 1:1). arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds Luke was probably a Gentile by birth, well educated in of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the Greek culture, a physician by profession, a companion of 16 Paul at various times from his second missionary journey abundance of possessions.” Then he told to his final imprisonment in Rome, and a loyal friend them a parable: “The land of a rich man who remained with the apostle after others had 17 produced abundantly. And he thought to deserted him (2Ti 4:11). Luke says that he composed the himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place story of Jesus and the Church based upon the gathered to store my crops?’ 18 Then [the rich man] testimony of eye-witnesses.

said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns th This parable comes in the 12 chapter following and build larger ones, and there I will store all warnings spoken by Jesus in regards to putting all of 19 my grain and my goods. And I will say to my one’s trust in the teachings of religious leaders as soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for opposed to the nature and living word of God. It’s many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But immediately proceeded by the first public confession by God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night the disciples of Jesus as the Messiah: the promised prophet-leader-king of God come to free all people. your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they Treausures: θησαυρίζω [thésaurizó]: to put away, "store 21 be?’ So it is with those who store up up"; lay aside treasure, built up (accumulated) for the treasures for themselves but are not rich day of future recompense. It can refuse to both physical toward God.” and figurative treasures from riches to thoughts stored up in the heart and mind. The word is the root the English term "thesaurus" which refers to a "storehouse QUESTIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF EXAMEN & (treasure) of synonyms." Literally "a receptacle for CONTEMPLATION valuables"). • What word, phrase or image grabs your attention? • What is the psalmist saying about wealth and poverty, about happiness and satisfaction? • How do the word of this story touch - your life and our life as the church today?