Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 09 Oct 2022, LoLLC
Channel: Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Date: 2022-10-10

While some biblical passages equate wealth with blessing uncritically, these lessons look more deeply at what one does with one’s wealth as a measure of character. Nabal was stingy and mean-spirited when he could have shown hospitality. Of people like him the psalmist counsels that they and their riches will not last, but those who have been reduced to humble circumstances through the ill-gotten gain of others will inherit the earth. In the Epistle, the teaching about greed expands from material possessions to self-centered desires contrasted with the inheritance that is the majestic realm of God. In the written Gospel, Zacchaeus comes into contact with the living gospel and his disposition toward his own wealth changes; he becomes generous and acknowledges that some of his wealth may be dishonest and pledges to restore what he has defrauded in addition to providing for the poor.

Cover Art: “David and Saul” by Keith Vaughan; gouache, watercolour and ink on paper unframed (sheet).