Rest for the Land, or Great Possessions?--May 25, 2014

Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation

or shadow due to change, every perfect gift

comes from you. You give food to all flesh.

Yet discontented even with the bounty you supply,

we abuse the earth, store up more treasures

for ourselves, and are not rich toward you.

What fools we are to worship great possessions!

Forgive us, and help us change our ways,

you whose steadfast love endures forever.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 93; 150; 136; 117

Lev. 25:1-17

James 1:2-8, 16-18

Luke 12:13-21

Selected Verses

Ps. 136:25

…who gives food to all flesh,
          for his steadfast love endures forever.

Lev. 25:4

…but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the LORD: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. 

James 1:17

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Luke 12:20-21

"… But God said to [the rich man], 'You fool!  This very night your life is being demanded of you.  And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'  So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God."  [Jesus to the crowd]