Daily Readings - Mon Oct 21 2024
Ephesians
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Luke
13And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about grace, wealth, and our relationship with God. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works. It emphasizes that our salvation is a gift from God, who has created us for good works. This passage highlights the unity and purpose we find in Christ, being His handiwork, and the abundance of His grace.
The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the rich fool, who, in his pursuit of wealth, forgets the true richness that comes from God. Jesus warns against greed and the illusion of security through material possessions. This parable teaches us to focus on spiritual wealth, recognizing that our lives are not measured by what we own but by our relationship with God.
Both readings call us to reflect on our priorities. Ephesians encourages us to trust in God's grace and live out our faith through good works, while Luke's parable warns against the dangers of materialism. Together, they remind us to seek spiritual growth and generosity, avoiding the trap of worldly wealth. The moral lesson is clear: true wealth lies in our connection with God, and we should strive to be rich in His eyes, living with gratitude and humility.