Daily Readings - Mon Oct 22 2018
Ephesians
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--9not by works, so that no one can boast.10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Luke
13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."14Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."'20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of grace and the dangers of materialism. The Epistle from Ephesians highlights our salvation through grace by faith, not by works, and how we are called to live out this grace in good works. The Gospel from Luke, through the parable of the rich fool, warns against the pitfalls of covetousness and the fleeting nature of material wealth.
Both readings, though distinct, complement each other by emphasizing the importance of spiritual wealth over earthly possessions. Ephesians encourages us to recognize the gift of salvation and to express this through acts of love and service. Luke's parable cautions us against becoming so focused on accumulating wealth that we neglect our relationship with God and others.
In our daily lives, let us embrace the grace we've been given with gratitude and humility. Let us not take credit for the blessings in our lives but instead use them to serve others. May we cultivate a spirit of contentment and generosity, remembering that true wealth lies in our relationship with God and in eternal treasures. As we navigate the world's temptations, may we always seek to be rich in God's eyes.