Unrighteous Mammon
Due to technical issues, we only have the sermon audio today. We hope to be able to provide the full service again next week.
Mammon, the wealth of this world, is fleeting. We know this is true. There is even a saying, “You can’t take it with you.” But what if we could convert some of this temporary wealth into something that we could take with us?
That is our lesson today. “The love of mammon is the root of evil.” What in this earthly kingdom should we love more? We should love each other. If we love one another more than money, then we can take our friendships into heaven with us. Christ paid this price to the ultimate degree, giving his life for us. This is something that we can do in our own small way with the wealth entrusted to us by God above.
Here is the parable Jesus shares and is our sermon text today. From Luke 16,
He {Jesus} also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
Click here for this week’s service or scroll past the Announcements to view it.
Announcements
Our doors are open. We are holding the Divine Service again and it is a delight to see familiar faces. Please come prepared with a face mask or covering and new rules to follow. There will NOT be Sunday School but we will continue to hold the Divine Service at 11 am. You can read the full policy here. Another post covers the highlights.
Wednesday Bible Study. Bible Study will be hosted via Zoom at 6:45. If you would like to join, please contact Pastor Jenson.
Donations: Unfortunately the expenses go on. If you wish to make a donation please mail them to the St. James Post office box as that is a secure location.
Prayer requests. Bring your prayer requests to Pastor Jenson, Deacon Poe, or Loyd Harris (bulletin typist). They will printed in the bulletin and prayed in the Sunday service. The deadline is Tuesday for mailing on Wednesday. Remember if you are bringing a prayer request on behalf of another person their permission must be obtained.
Prayer during a pandemic.
Almighty God, heavenly Father, give us grace to trust You during this time of illness and distress. In mercy put an end to the pandemic that afflicts us. Grant relief to those who suffer, and comfort all that mourn. Sustain all medical personnel in their labors, and cause Your people ever to serve You in righteousness and holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.