Bible Reading: Psalm 62, Revelation: 18
“Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not heart upon them. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard it that power belongeth unto God” – Psalm 62:10-11.
I have always marveled at man’s behavior when they are elevated by earthly position and wealth. In my few years on earth I have seen people oppress others because they are poor. I have seen the rich frustrate and dehumanize the poor. I have seen men boast to their fellow man who they consider inferior because he is poor. I hear statements like- what can you do? Who are you? Do you know who I am? You can’t do more than a dead rat etc. Men tend to be carried away by riches which results in becoming proud and boastful. Riches can be deceptive and misleading. Men trust in oppression when they are in position of authority, either by wealth or appointment. They use their exalted offices or riches to oppress and do unpardonable things and get away with it. They amass wealth through stealing from their company or public treasury and become vain in their behaviour and ways of life. A woman that was married from a very wretched home to an embezzler and a robber of public treasury, become vain by the ungodly wealth of the husband and vows that her son will not marry a lady because she is from a poor background. The public looter because of their ill-gotten wealth behave pompously and recklessly without considering who is hurt by his behavior. A man who cannot produce a drop of blood that flows in his vein must know his limitation. The Psalmist advises in our scripture of today that when riches increase set not your heart upon them. Power to get wealth, power to live and power to be healthy, all belong to God. Even the power of death belong to God and not to man. The boasting and trust in your wealth that spurs you to oppress the less privilege, does it give the knowledge of the date of your departure from this life? Do you know how the blood that flows in your vein was produced? Do you have an idea where the air you breathe comes from? Has it occurred to you that the same air that is available to the living is also available to a dead corpse, yet the corpse cannot breathe it?
I have discovered that all great men come on the stage of life and act their part and leave, but the Almighty God remain forever? This is why He is called the Almighty God. All power belongs to him.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18(KJV): ”All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Jesus Christ rose from the dead and announced that He has been given all powers in heaven and on earth, so which power remains after all, to be exercised by any other person or object? Truly, power belongs to God. This should strengthen your Christian resolve to see things God’s way. The occultist and witch that is threatening your life cannot exercise any power over you if you know your place and right in redemption. Power has been taken away from them and handed over to Jesus Christ. The oppressive power of the wicked is a mirage and more of illusion. Challenge it with a superior knowledge of your redemption and it will fizzle away.
Paul’s advice to the rich in 1 Timothy 6:17(KJV) comes handy: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy”.
Prayer: Help me to remain humble despite the amount of wealth you have entrusted me with.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo