This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself. Psalm 49:13-15
“Isidore said, ‘In this fleeting life the rich do not have the satisfaction of permanently enjoying their power, their fame, or their money. Suddenly death carries them off, the abyss swallows them up, and they disappear, condemned to eternal torments.’
‘Greed makes the rich haughty. It does not happen because of their riches, but because of their free choice. Evil does not consist in things, but in the use we make of them.’
‘Those who spend their riches on beneficial objects are making good use of good things. The same good things are being badly used by those who plan to multiply their wealth or who only do good to their neighbors for reputation’s sake.’
Defensor Grammaticus (seventh century monk from St. Martin’s Abbey) in Book of Sparkling Sayings, 58 (SC86, p. 160) in Drinking from the Hidden Fountain: A Patristic Breviary, Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World, ed. by Thomas Spidlik (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1994) 292-293.
Read all of Psalm 49 today. It is the message about money for the world that is echoed by Defensor and Isidore. This Psalm seemed fitting as I wrap up this trip around the world with fruitful service and meetings in five countries thanks to the faithfulness of God.