Psalm 49:18-19. "Though, while [the wealthy man] lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light."

Is wealth worth the price we often have to pay for it? Is being rich during our short time on earth worth never seeing the light again for all eternity? I don't think so, nor does this psalmist. "But I will be different," we can think. "I won't let it corrupt me, I just need to maintain my standard of living, or get my kids into good schools, or provide for my family in the way they deserve." All of these are good things, but they are not the most important thing.

God knows us so well. He knows if we have enough wealth to be comfortable, to send our kids to the best schools, to maintain the standard of living that our incredibly rich country promotes, we very often forget about Him. We slowly stop thinking we need Him. We start slacking off in our prayer and worship, while diverting more time to maintaining our position. In large part, that is what has happened in America and much of Europe.

Comfortable people who have financial security do not tend to turn to God for help. They start to think they're doing this all on their own. They count themselves happy now, but when they are forced to leave it all behind and face God at the moment of death, will they know Him? Will He know them? This is the great risk of wealth that God warns us about over and over.