Reflections on Psalm 34:11

Today is the feast day of Bishop and Saint Stanislaus, a martyr for Christ. Part of the readings today come from Psalm 34, and a particular verse caught my attention:

 "The rich grow poor and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." - Psalm 34:11

Do the Rich Grow Richer?

This verse makes little sense when viewed through a material lens. The rich do not, on the surface, seem to grow poor. In fact, common wisdom does appear to prevail that the rich grow richer in material goods and material gain. They can buy food when the poor can't afford even a loaf of bread.

In my younger years, I hungered to become rich. I pursued it relentlessly until God gradually began to show me the folly of such a pursuit. He began by first helping me to understand that relationships, not material goods or status, held the highest value. Next, He taught me that love, not material goods, was the greatest wealth that I could gain. 

When we look at the verse through that lens, it becomes clear what the Psalmist means. The rich seek to accumulate material goods and worldly acclaim. The more they acquire, the less filled with love they become. The more they hunger and thirst for genuine connection, but the harder it is for them to let people in and allow themselves to be loved. Their fear of someone tricking them out of what they've acquired or stealing it from them becomes a barrier between them and other people. They're always worried that people don't love them for who they are but for what they have. This creates obstacles to authentic, genuine connections with the people around them.

What they believe elevates them becomes their own personal Rapunzel's tower. It makes them isolated and lonely, looking at the world but unable to freely enjoy it for fear of losing what they believe makes them safe and secure. Only by letting go of what they believe is their greatest treasure can they allow love to climb up and kiss them. The answer to their dilemma lies in disdaining the very things they've worked so hard to gain and keep. This is what makes it so difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. They don't value love enough to sacrifice their material goods in its service. Thus, the rich grow poor in love and hunger for it, but will not risk leaving their tower to eat their fill.

Pursuing True Wealth

"...for God is love." - 1 John 4:8

Those who seek the Lord, in contrast, are actively searching for love. they are willing to leave everything behind to gain it, for they recognize it as the most priceless treasure life offers. In finding love, they no longer need what the world offers to fill them or satisfy. They have all that they desire.

They are free to be generous with what material goods they do receive because they see that generosity as an investment in building relationships, which are the well from which love is drawn. Each relationship they build brings them more love and, in turn, greater satisfaction with life.

Thus, those who seek the Lord, because of their great love, lack no good thing. Those they share their goods, time, and talent with share what they have to offer in return and all are improved for the experience. They acquire more love and are filled to bursting with it so that it can't help but spill out onto everyone they meet. Their very presence enriches those around them and helps people open up to love.

Choosing What We Will Pursue

When we center our lives on love and use our time, talents, and treasures to invest in building up the people around us, everyone is enriched by our efforts. Individuals touched by love become healthier and stronger, families thrive, communities flourish, and true peace spreads as hearts are filled with hope. It's our choice what we will pursue with the time, the talent, and the treasures we've been given. Let us choose wisely.