Investing in What Truly Lasts

September 19, 2025

Investing in What Truly Lasts

September 21, 2025

Opening Thought

The lessons for Proper 20 on September 21st call us to a profound reflection on what truly matters, urging us to invest not in fleeting gains, but in the eternal. These themes resonate deeply with me, as I am constantly immersed in the vital work of our Weekend Lunch Ministry here at Christ Church. Through the inspiring vision of our Director, Hal Brickle, our dedicated board, and a vast, compassionate army of volunteers, we strive to provide more than a meal; we provide connection, community, and dignity.

Each week, we transform our beautiful Jones Chapel into a sacred space where our guests, those in need, are welcomed to enjoy a full course meal, shared fellowship, and a moment of peace. This tangible act of service is a powerful, living example of what this Sunday's Scriptures ask of us: to look beyond our own immediate needs and shrewdly manage our lives for a lasting purpose. Sometimes, the eternal looks a lot like a thoughtfully prepared meal, served with respect and love in the heart of our community.

As we turn our attention to the ancient words of Amos, the praise of Psalm 113, the pastoral wisdom of 1 Timothy, and the challenging parable of Jesus in Luke, let us carry with us the spirit of this ministry. May the lessons and the music we are about to hear further open our hearts to God's call for justice, wise stewardship, and unwavering faith, commissioning us anew for the work of peace in our world.

Engaging the Word

Our exploration begins with the stark and ancient warning from Amos 8:4-7. The prophet condemns those who exploit the poor and manipulate systems for their own profit, eager to be done with worship so they can return to their unjust dealings. This text resonates powerfully today, challenging us to examine where our true allegiances lie. Are we, too, sometimes impatient with the sacred, eager to return to our own pursuits? Amos reminds us that authentic faith demands justice and compassion for our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable.

In joyful contrast, Psalm 113 bursts forth with exuberant praise, declaring the Lord's majesty and His compassionate care for the humble and the needy. "Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?" This psalm reminds us that true worship isn't just about ritual; it's about acknowledging a God who lifts the poor from the dust and sets them among princes. This God of justice is also a God of boundless grace.

The call to righteous living continues in 1 Timothy 2:1-7, where Paul urges us to offer "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings... for everyone." This isn't a passive request; it’s an active, powerful engagement with the world through prayer, especially for those in authority, so that "we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity." Paul reminds us that our faith has a public dimension, a responsibility to pray for all people, reflecting God's universal desire "that all will be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth."

Then comes the challenging parable from Luke 16:1-13, the story of the dishonest manager. Jesus’ parables often turn our expectations upside down. While not commending the manager’s dishonesty, Jesus praises his shrewdness—his foresight and decisive action in using worldly resources to secure his future. The core message for us: if worldly people are so clever in managing their earthly affairs, how much more diligent and "shrewd" should we be in using our resources, our time, and our gifts to serve God and build up the eternal Kingdom? "No slave can serve two masters," Jesus concludes, urging us to choose to serve God, not wealth.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our hymns and anthem this week are not mere pleasant interludes, but powerful guides that deepen our understanding and response to these challenging scriptures. They lift the theological concepts from our heads into our hearts, preparing us for active faith.

Our service begins with Opening Hymn: "Praise to the living God!" (#372). This hymn sets a vibrant and ancient tone, immediately calling us to acknowledge the majesty and active presence of God in the world. As Psalm 113 exuberantly praises a God "who looks far down on the heavens and the earth" and "lifts the poor from the dust," this hymn echoes that awe and adoration, preparing our hearts to receive God's challenging Word. It's a reminder that the God we worship is dynamic, just, and worthy of all our praise, grounding us before we delve into the week's complex lessons.

The Sequence Hymn: "Lord, whose love through humble service" (#610) is a direct and poignant response to the parable of the dishonest manager in Luke. Where Jesus challenges us to be "shrewd" in our eternal investments, this hymn beautifully illuminates how we are to make those investments: through humble, Christ-like service. It moves beyond simply hearing the parable to actively living its call, reminding us that God's love is expressed and experienced most profoundly when we reach out to others, especially those in need – much like the spirit of our Weekend Lunch Ministry. It connects the wisdom of the manager not to personal gain, but to selfless love.

Our Anthem, "O Lord, Increase Our Faith" by Henry Loosemore, becomes the collective cry of our hearts this week. Faced with Amos's condemnation of injustice and Luke's challenging parable about serving God over wealth, we realize the need for divine strength. The anthem's text – "O Lord, increase our faith, strengthen us and send us your Holy Spirit, to comfort us in all adversity; through Christ our Lord. Amen" – is a heartfelt plea for the very foundation we need. It acknowledges our human weakness and asks for the robust faith required to live justly, pray universally, and steward wisely, giving us courage to apply the hard truths of the lessons.

As we gather at the table for Communion, "Where charity and love prevail" (#581) will bind us together in the very love that Amos sought and Luke's parable implies. This hymn serves as a profound reminder that at the heart of Christian life, and at the core of our "shrewd" eternal investment, is selfless, unifying love – the love that conquers division and fuels true service. It’s in this shared experience of God's grace and charity that we find the strength to extend it to the world.

Finally, we depart with the triumphant Post-Communion Hymn: "O for a thousand tongues to sing" (#493). This hymn is a fervent outpouring of praise and a powerful commissioning. Having heard the call to justice, the invitation to prayer, and the challenge of stewardship, this hymn expresses our ardent desire to proclaim God’s redemptive love to all. It’s a fitting response to a week of lessons on active, purposeful faith, sending us forth with renewed zeal to share the transforming power of the Gospel in word and deed, much like the peace and connection offered through our ministries.

A Closing Note on Our Journey

This week, the message is clear: our faith is not passive. It calls for shrewd, thoughtful action in how we manage our lives, our resources, and our relationships. It demands justice for the vulnerable and sincere, universal prayer for all. Let us pray with earnestness for increased faith, give with generosity, and live with the wise discernment of those who truly understand where their eternal treasure lies.

As you reflect on this boundless love, I pray these words prepare your heart for our time of worship. Please join me again next Friday as we continue our journey.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

For the Church throughout the world, that we may continually offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people, and boldly proclaim the truth of God’s saving grace,