The exhortation not to fear when wealth and glory increase establishes the proper response to the prosperity of the wicked. The reference to increased wealth and glory suggests that the wicked may prosper and achieve external success; circumstantial advantage tempts the observer to envy. Yet the exhortation not to fear suggests that the increase of the wicked's possessions should not trouble the righteous. The affirmation that the wicked cannot take it with them (returning to the theme of verse 11) reorients perspective; temporal prosperity proves meaningless when death approaches. This verse establishes that apparent earthly success of the wicked should not disturb or influence the perspective of the righteous who understand ultimate realities.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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