The Rich and Your Kingdom--June 24, 2014

Merciful God, you are good and forgiving--

you abound in steadfast love to all who call on you.

You reckon as righteousness our trust in you,

and you justify the ungodly.

Nevertheless it is true that the sin of one person,

especially one made powerful through great riches,

can bring down disaster upon countless others.

Protect the poor and helpless, we pray you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86

Numb. 16:20-35

Rom. 4:1-12

Matt. 19:23-30

Selected Verses

Ps. 86:5

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
          abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. 

Numb. 16:22

[Moses and Aaron] fell on their faces, and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one person sin and you become angry with the whole congregation?"

Rom. 4:5

But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. 

Matt. 19:23

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.  …"