Sweeter than Drippings from the Honeycomb--June 20, 2021

[From June 21, 2015 archive]

 

In our world wealth is a measure of status--

if riches depart from us, so does our glory.  

 

Righteous God, you assure us that your word to us 

is more important than gold, even much fine gold. 

 

Jesus said it was harder for a rich person to enter your 

kingdom than for a camel to go through a needle's eye. 

 

And James said that the rich will disappear 

like a flower in the field--hard words, these. 

 

Yet teach us, God, they are sweeter than honey, 

sweeter than drippings from the honeycomb. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113

1 Sam. 4:12-22

James 1:1-18

Matt. 19:23-30

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 19:10 

More to be desired are [the LORD's ordinances] than gold, 
          even much fine gold;

 sweeter also than honey, 
          and drippings of the honeycomb. 

 

1 Sam. 4:22 

 [Eli's daughter-in-law] said [as she was dying], “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” 

 

James 1:9-10 

Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. 

 

Matt. 19:24 

“…Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  [Jesus to his disciples]