Poverty of Posterity

“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him… The fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others… Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations… This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings” (Psalm 49:6-13).  “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall… He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind… The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:28-30).

There is a poverty so deep,

There never is recovery
From sorrows that will never sleep
For time and all eternity. 

This poverty is cloaked with wealth

Which has no power to redeem
The soul which outlives fleeting health
And wakes from death as from a dream. 

The fool and brutish person perish

And leave their wealth, of course, to others. 
They neither keep the things they cherish,
Nor can they thus redeem their brothers. 

They’re passing on their inward thought

To generations that will follow
Who then approve their sayings taught,
And thus inherit what is hollow.

It’s not by riches they have sinned,

But rather by their sinful lust,
And thus their heirs inherit wind
Who place in riches all their trust. 

There is a resting place from strife

That struggles still to know the truth;
A lasting heritage of life
May yet be passed on to our youth.

Our God and Savior opens eyes

Of those who seek Him and are humble,
And in His light we are made wise,
But those rejecting Him will stumble. 

We thank You, Lord, for riches true

Which You procured upon the cross
Which we receive who trust in You
To save our souls from endless loss. 

How great the wealth is of salvation! 

How great the poverty of sin!
Lord, help us reach this generation
Which, with Your Gospel, we may win.