Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalms 49:16-20 (New Living Translation)

So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich
and their homes become ever more splendid.
¹⁷ For when they die, they take nothing with them.
Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.
¹⁸ In this life they consider themselves fortunate
and are applauded for their success.
¹⁹ But they will die like all before them
and never again see the light of day.
²⁰ People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;
they will die, just like animals.

The title to this post is an old saying. “Rover” is the stereotypical name of a dog. The saying is often uttered by those who don’t believe that God, heaven, hell, etc. exist. When you are dead, you are dead just like a dog – that is the end.

Here in the 49th Psalm I find what might be the source of the old saying. Note the last phrase of the last verse:

they will die, just like animals

This phrase, however,  is not about the existence of God. It is about the futility of those who trust in their earthly riches. Those riches won’t matter as death will come to those people just as it comes to a bird or mouse or snail or whatever. It comes.

To the Christian, however, death is a passage to another place. A place with God in eternity.