The stock market in the United States has performed very well so far this year. Record-high closing values have occurred several times already, boosting the confidence of investors throughout the country. When using these financial measures, it might be tempting for society at large to be optimistic about the future. Certainly, affluence abounds in this age, making it difficult to convince the world about the dire state that it is actually in and the devastating future ahead of us.
With the passing financial success of Wall Street in mind, it is worth considering a prognosis that David wrote thousands of years ago, which applies very well to those of us living now: “Let their table become a snare before them, And their well-being a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually” (Psalm 69:22-23). The material wealth and abundance of this age will undoubtedly cause many to stumble. In fact, the apparent good things might become a curse, as pronounced here.
We must of course make sound financial decisions, and it is not wrong to become wealthy, as long as we have and maintain the right priorities (1 Timothy 6:17-18; Proverbs 10:22; Jeremiah 9:23-24). However, what is particularly daunting is that the very things that are accumulated to prevent destruction might become the cause! The comforts that offer security could make false promises. Material abundance, money, weapons, stockpiles, and political power are a trap and a snare because they might deceive people into believing that nothing is wrong. Even more, these worldly assets may lead the possessors to believe that life is good and things are going quite well. However, the Bible is clear that man will not be able to save himself with his own might (Psalm 33:16) and that riches are only temporary (Ezekiel 7:19). The comfort of life’s vanities will only divert attention from the Truth, making matters worse. Many in the world will be very late realizing the error of placing their trust in man, rather than God.
There is a warning provided in the Bible: “… let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). While it might be easy to apply this to others, we must realize that it applies to each and every one of us as well. Unless we live in complete isolation, it is nearly impossible to escape the influence of our age. We have comforts and abundance now, more than at any other time in the history of mankind. Because of this, we too are exposed to the trap of well-being, and the snare of a well-stocked table. However, it is our choice about how to react. Will we allow the cares of this world to choke the Word of God so that it does not take root (compare Matthew 13:22), or will we turn away from relying on the world’s offerings, and seek safety in the hands of God?
