Wednesday prior to Proper 24

 

Ecclesiastes 5:10–20—

Many years ago, a reporter asked billionaire John D. Rockefeller, “How much is enough?” His famous reply: “Just a little bit more.” This passage from King Solomon, who possessed wealth of wisdom that surpassed his great wealth of riches, shows the futility of such thinking. Riches can be a blessing, but if they are allowed to control a person, they become a curse. Trusting in money more than in the One who provides the material blessings is idolatry.

To love and trust in earthly wealth is vanity. For nothing of this earth will last forever, nor can any of it grant eternal life (Ecclesiastes 5:10). But the one who trusts in God is “occupied with joy in his heart” and is able to sleep in peace, “whether he eats little or much,” because he knows that the “days of his life” are “the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:12, 18–20).  The person who trusts in riches cannot sleep, because he “shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand” (Ecclesiastes 5:15). It is by the voluntary poverty of Christ that we enter the kingdom of God.[1]  

Prayer for deliverance from the love of money: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord;[2] -13 October 2021

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[1] Lectionary summary from LCMS Commission on Worship

[2] Collect for deliverance from the love of money, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis