Psalm 49:16-20. "Be not afraid when one becomes rich ... For when he dies he will carry nothing away ... [T]hough a man gets praise when he does well for himself, he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light. Man cannot abide in his pomp, he's like the beasts that perish."

It is interesting that this starts with "Be not afraid." I really can't say that fear is the emotion I associate with seeing people become rich. I think most people become resentful or jealous, but not usually fearful. I actually read this in the morning, and then spent the day pondering it because I didn't really understand why that phrase was used.

After thinking about it, I realize that it is a bit scary the way the ultra-rich and powerful seem to be "taking over the world" and trying to impose their will and their vision of the future on all of us. I imagine in Old Testament times, when communities were smaller and more reliant on the rich amoung them to be upright people who cared for others, it felt much the same when one saw a ruthless or immoral person gaining wealth and power.

Now that the same principle applies to the whole world, it really does feel like the spirit of the Antichrist is awakening - like a false religion is being imposed on the world by the rich and powerful, and that is scary indeed! They may get away with more of their schemes, and certainly people will continue to suffer because of them, but in the end, the rich will carry nothing away with them and the meek will inherit the earth! So we really should not be afraid!