News and Announcements
Christ Lutheran Church Eagan Minnesota
July 31st, 2016
VERSE of the Week:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1) Possessed by possessions? A man went off to see a rumored saint. He went in quest of “spiritual life.” After an hour closeted with the saint, he emerged in a fury. “I wanted heavenly things,” he complained, “and he asked about my check stubs.” Today’s Scripture lessons remind us that spiritual life – and actually a satisfying earthly life – is not to be found in our possessions. In the Old Testament Reading (Eccles. 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26), the Preacher (traditionally identified as Solomon) points out the vanity of striving after the things of this life. In the Epistle (Col. 3:1-11) St. Paul urges us, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” The Gospel (Luke 12:13-21) records Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool, the farmer who congratulated himself, “Soul you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” These lessons call into question so much of that to which our culture encourages us to dedicate our lives. But when old age creeps up, when we stand at the sickbed or graveside of a loved one, when we ponder the tragedy, violence, and destruction in our world, we are compelled to ask: “What is it all for? Is this all there is?” “The Preacher” points out the folly of work without calling (a sense of the life God has called us to), the folly of possessions without stewardship (an awareness of God’s call to use our gifts and possessions to His glory and honor). Paul warns us that focus on things leads to five sins of the heart (see Col. 3:5) and five sins related to a broken relationship with others (see Col. 3:8). Jesus reminds us that we cannot force God to be pleased with us by gathering evidence of His pleasure into “larger barns.”