After a quick online questionnaire asking me questions about my goals for this new year, I was provided with a word to encourage and remind me that I should focus on God’s Word above all else. The word I was provided with is “gather”.
The verses provided along with my word for the year, were related to a gathering of people, and showing them love, compassion, and honour. In today’s passage we see another side of gather; possessions.
This Psalm reminds us that our focus should not be of this world, but of a better world. We will all perish one day regardless of our wealth and all that we have gathered will be left behind. “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.” (Psalm 49:13 NIV)
“But as for me (Jesus), God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.” (Psalm 49:15 NLT).
We all have investments. The items that we have invested in of this world, will one day turn to decay. When we place our investment in Christ, just like Jesus himself, we are snatched from the grave of decay and will receive our inheritance of eternal life with Him.
“People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49:20 NIV
Lock Your Wings 
Great connection to your word of the year! This stood out for me: “For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.”
Psalms 49:17 NLT
None of us can take anything with us when we die. When you think of it that way, the mere accumulation of ‘stuff’ is futile since it has no value beyond our time here on earth. But like you said, our investments should be in people because as we gather people together and invite them into God’s family, only that has value beyond this time we spend here.
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