Wealth and Power are the hallmarks
of success and prosperity; the American Dream, the primary
aspiration that our western culture teaches. Of course, Americans are far
from alone in this dream. If we are among those who declare themselves as
believers in God, we may also want to believe that once those material goals
are achieved, then we will work on the details of faith, hope, and charity. If
we slip into working overly diligently on material goals perhaps our faith goals will fall by the wayside.
Martin
Luther referred to Mammon, the ancient name for material gains though greed, as
"the most common god on earth." Of course, there is a serious
distinction between those who would be greedy or dishonestly wealthy, and those
who would use their wealth to honestly and faithfully prosper others. Most of
us are at least a little bit guilty of wanting and pursuing “more.” Few of us haven't
played a few games of chance and fantasized about all we would be able to have
and to do if we won. Yet formal studies say that nearly 70% of those who win
extraordinary payoffs are bankrupt within 7 years. Too much of a good thing, or
a bad thing? Perhaps merely a case of discovering that having all that we want
still isn't enough. For some, the desperate seeking of greater material
wealth and power becomes an unwitting addiction, driving
them into a downward spiral of self-destruction and relational ruin.
Self-examination
is key when Jesus calls us to account on how faithful and honest we are in
little and big matters. What is our true intent? Is a little
lottery dreaming sinful? Hardly, unless it takes up too many waking minutes, too much of our necessary income, and/or harms oneself or another. The writer of the letter of Timothy tells
us that leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
dignity is right and acceptable in the sight of God. Whether
or not that seems realistic in these combative, angry, and violent times isn't
the point. Life is difficult, far worse for some than others given wars,
natural disasters, or life-threatening illness. Yet serving wealth on behalf of
ourselves isn't the path to inner peace, godliness, or dignity of the soul.
Even if it may give a temporary glow on the surface, we know the little
discomforting niggle of conscience.
Jesus
is never clearer, than in this Gospel. We cannot serve two masters; we cannot
serve God and wealth. If we seek only the accumulation of more
material possessions to the exclusion of and harming the welfare of others, if
only in very small ways, we may prosper in this life, but we will lose in the
next. Even a little dishonesty becomes much more so in God’s sight. The prophet
Amos gives us God's words: I will never forget any of their deeds. Yet
the Good News is always present when Jesus teaches. However imperfect we are,
if we are intentional about serving God even with a meager amount of faith, God
will never forget that either. It is never too late to return to serving God who
desires everyone to be saved. As Jesus says, Whoever is faithful in
a very little is faithful also in much. Let us examine our own intentions
and be clear to ourselves what it is we truly want; for, if we cannot be honest
with ourselves who will trust us with the true riches of eternal life? Let us
turn our soul’s path to an upward spiral, intentionally choosing to seek and to
serve only God, ready for the final accounting of this mortal life. Let us do
so eagerly, and, in Faith, for the love of God in Christ.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O
Lord Most High, open our hearts to make supplications and prayers
for everyone, open our minds to come to the knowledge of Your
truth, and open the eyes of our souls to be and to do only what is right and
acceptable in Your sight.
O God, our Savior
RESPONSE: Our true wealth is serving
You
~ O Lord Most
High, on behalf of us all who wish for a peaceable life in all godliness
and dignity, we offer intercessions for those in high positions as leaders on
this Planet, in this Nation, and in our Community. May they intentionally
govern with integrity, with honor, and without deceit. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~ O Lord Most
High, calm the anxiety of all who suffer in pain of body, mind, or soul,
and strengthen all who give them care. We now join our hearts to pray aloud for
those in need… add
your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~ O Lord Most
High, dry the tears of the grieving, as the glory of the heavens welcomes
all who are now transformed into eternal life and joy. We pray especially
for… add your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~ O Lord Most
High, we pause in this moment to offer You our other
heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or
silently… add your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~ O Lord Most High, we
praise Your Name in thanksgiving for the special gifts of all who have been
chosen, anointed, and faithfully devoted in their lives and ministries among
us. We pray especially for: add your own
petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true
wealth is serving You
The Celebrant adds: Holy God, the Glory above the heavens, by Your divine love we were created with
the truest form of riches available in our mortal time. Infuse us with desire
to serve only You, that even our little faith will become greater and offer a
blameless accounting at this life’s end. We ask through Jesus, our Holy Mediator; and the Holy Spirit, the Divine Breath in our Souls; who together
with You are One God, forever and always. Amen.
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