Description
Luke 12:13-21
It seems as though we are bombarded from all sides with the message that materials and possessions, often called “stuff,” will bring you ultimate happiness and contentment in life. I believe many know this is false, yet there is a pull from the world’s voice that states – the more you have, the more abundant and fulfilling your life will be. Some have the means to try it, but have found that it does not work if you give it enough time. No matter how much stuff a person has, fulfillment, joy, and completeness in life will never be found in the possessions. God owns it all and God also has the key to completeness in life. It is through a relationship with Jesus Christ that we are made whole, that is, complete. Our parable from Luke tells us that rather than storing up riches on earth, our priority should be on our riches toward God in heaven.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
I Am
David Crowder & Ed Cash, ©2013 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Alletrop Music
(Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
I Will Boast
Paul Baloche, ©2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Promises
Jared Anderson, ©2006 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer, Creator
BH 75 15; BH 91 19; CH 68; ELW 870; HWC 16; HFG 334; HGP 19; LBW 241; LSB 785; LW 494; NCH 420; RH 16; STTL 40; WAR 726; WHM 62
What Is The World To Me
LSB 730; LW 418
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love To Me
BH75 326; BH91 123; HS 98 857; HLC 364; LBW 336; LSB 683; LW 280; PH 366; STTL 499; WC 556
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor It is a joy to gather today to focus on God, our creator, who speaks to us about practicing wise stewardship in our lives, and managing all of His gifts and resources given to us according to His Word.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and Loving God, you have created this world and all that is in it. In Psalm 24, the truth is made clear where it says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. You are the owner of everything and have given us the responsibility to manage what has been given to us. As we worship you today and dwell on your Word, speak to our hearts, open our eyes, and give us new insights so that we can do your will. We are saturated with messages from the world and the many humanistic values. Help us today to see the difference your message brings, and give us boldness and courage to make the right choices in relation to all that you have entrusted to us.
ALL In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
All: Lord God, you are the author and giver of life as well as the owner of all that we have. Without you we would not exist and would not have the resources that sustain us each day. We confess to you that we have not been good stewards of your creation. We have not managed our time or our money the way in accordance with your word. We have been greedy and have hoarded things at the expense of other people. We have let stuff get the best of us and occupy our minds. Many times, we have neglected your counsel and in doing so, we have mismanaged what has been given to us. We need your help Lord.
(silence for personal reflection and confession)
Pastor: God is full of mercy and grace and forgives us of our sins as we make confession. People of God, know that your sins are forgiven and know that you have been made clean through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Bondage to sin is over and now you are free to serve the Lord and use what God has given to you for His glory. Strive to live in God’s economy so that you can be witnesses to others.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23
Solomon tells us that true wisdom cannot be found in the world and the human mind. God is the source of true wisdom and when we grasp this truth, we will have contentment and purpose. Glorifying God through our work on earth will have eternal rewards.
2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless..
12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
