When the prophet Zephaniah warned the people of Judah about the war that God was going to bring over them, he said,: “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord” (Zephaniah 1:18). Ezekiel also prophesied that, on that day, the people would cast their silver and gold onto the streets (Ezekiel 7:19).
Whenever God brings his wrath over a city or a nation, money and possessions can offer no help. Then only one thing helps is righteousness. Only those who have obeyed God’s Word and remained true to his covenant will be safe on the day when his judgment comes.
This does not guarantee that righteous people will not suffer with the rest. Think of Joshua and Caleb, who also had to stay in the desert for forty years longer, because their people had not trusted in God. But we know that God looks after his righteous ones, even in such circumstances. Moreover, he will preserve them on his great day of judgment, to give them eternal life. “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11).
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.