If Sued for Your Coat--Sept. 25, 2013

 You crown the year with your bounty, O God;

your wagon tracks overflow with richness.

Make us grateful for all that we have received

and generous in our treatment of others.

Elisha ordered that food and water be served

to his would-be captors, and their release.

Like Elisha, may our generosity extend even

to those who would wrong or defraud us.

One wiser, more righteous than Elisha said,

if sued for a coat, give also your cloak.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 65; 147:1-11; 125; 91

2 Kings 6:1-23

1 Cor. 5:9-6:11

Matt. 5:38-48

Selected Verses

Ps. 65:11

You crown the year with your bounty;
          your wagon tracks overflow with richness.

2 Kings 6:22

[Elisha] answered, "No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill?  Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master."

1 Cor. 6:7

In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you.  Why not rather be wronged?  Why not rather be defrauded?

Matt. 5:40

"…and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well…"  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]