Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Psalm 146:1-4 NKJV
Psalm 146 is broken into two parts. In verses 1-4 the psalmist tells us why we should not trust in man. In verses 5-10 the psalmist tells us why we should trust in the Lord.
The Bible tells us in Romans 12:1-2 we should present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. We are told not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
When we trust in man or in mere mortals, it is easy to conform or be conformed. We are to worship God, we are to follow God, but we are to be fishers of men. We are to treat other human beings with brotherly love and affection, but we must stop short of following them or trusting in them.
This doesn’t mean we should not trust any human being, but when we place our trust in man we can be disappointed. Even if he means well, he could die and be unable to help us any further.
Our hope and our help comes from God and God alone, not from mortal man. I also find it interesting that Psalm 146:2 says not to put your trust in princes or nobles. Often times when someone is wealthy or in a high position, we want to associate with them because of what they can do for us.
It’s said, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” My friend if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you know that through Him all things are possible (Luke 1:37). John 15:5 says apart from God we can do nothing.
God doesn’t care what’s in your bank account or how many wealthy or influential friends we have. He cares about what’s in our heart. We are told in Ephesians 5:1 to imitate God. So, shouldn’t we also be concerned with one’s heart and not their social status?
James 2 tells us we are not to show partiality between the poor man and the rich man. James 2:9 tells us if we show partiality we commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
I urge you to take a minute to examine yourself, are you catering to someone because they spend money on your church or because they pick up the tab and “treat” you often? Are you showing favoritism, perhaps even breaking the rules for that person?
In law enforcement it’s called corruption. In our churches, it’s called fellowship. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy and there is nothing wrong with being in fellowship with someone who is wealthy.
We cannot favor them over others, trust in them, fear them, praise them or glorify them. Those things we must reserve for God, Himself.
Look at your relationships today. Are they based on what’s in someone’s pocketbook or what’s in their heart? Are you bending the rules to be in a relationship with someone because they “bless” you financially?
I encourage you to read the rest of Psalm 146. It teaches why we should trust in God only.
When we trust in someone’s wealth we face the danger of following them. If we are called by God to lead them, we go against God’s calling when we follow them.
In Titus chapter 2, older women are instructed to lead younger women to be godly women. This has less to do with age and more to do with spiritual maturity. The more spiritually mature Christian should be leading the less spiritually mature Christian.
The less mature Christian may have the best of intentions, but they lack the experience and biblical knowledge needed to lead. 1 Timothy 3:6 says a church leader must not be a new convert lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.
No matter how zealous we may be, it still takes time through trials and endurance to become a mature Christian.
Don’t put your faith in man, but in God only. God must be number one. Don’t give a mere mortal that spot, even if he’s a prince.
Have a great day!