NEXT WEEKS LESSONS: THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
“The master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly” (Luke 16:1–9). The steward’s shrewdness is praiseworthy for two reasons. First, he knew the master would be merciful. He trusted that the master would honor the debts he forgave in the master’s name. In the same way, though we have squandered our heavenly Father’s possessions in selfishness and sin, Jesus is the Steward who has canceled our debt, knowing that His forgiveness will be honored by the Father because of the holy cross. Secondly, the steward was shrewd in using oil and wheat to provide for his earthly welfare. So also do these earthly elements aid us when pressed into heavenly use in the anointing of baptism and the wheat of the Lord’s Supper. Those who have the Sacraments will have an eternal home when the earthly fails. These are our escape in temptation (1 Corinthians 10:6–13). For the Lord is our strength and a shield to all who trust in Him (2 Samuel 22:26–34).
Collect: Let Your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of Your humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 22:26–34
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 10:6–13
Holy Gospel: Luke 16:1–9 (10–13)
2 Samuel 22:26-34: This passage of Second Samuel records for us part of the text that Jesus used in teaching the parable of the Unjust Steward. It speaks of how the Lord Himself is more shrewd and clever than even the most shrewd and clever of men: "With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 27 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 28 You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down" (vs. 26-28).
1 Corinthians 10:6-13: St. Paul uses the example of Old Testament Israel to warn the Corinthian Christians against the danger of idolatry (false faith and worship) which evidences itself in sexual immorality, murmuring, and complaining against the Lord. The end of such idolatry is the loss of faith and eternal death. This warning against the danger of idolatry is intended to draw us to the One Man, Christ Jesus, who alone can deliver us from these dangers in the time of such temptation: "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (vs. 12-13).
Luke 16:1-13: “The master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly” (Luke 16:1–9). The steward's shrewdness is praiseworthy for two reasons. First, he knew the master would be merciful. He trusted that the master would honor the debts he forgave in the master's name. In the same way, though we have squandered our heavenly Father's possessions in selfishness and sin, Jesus is the Steward who has canceled our debt, knowing that His forgiveness will be honored by the Father because of the holy cross. Secondly, the steward was shrewd in using oil and wheat to provide for his earthly welfare. So also do these earthly elements aid us when pressed into heavenly use in the anointing of baptism and the wheat of the Lord's Supper. Those who have the Sacraments will have an eternal home when the earthly fails. These are our
escape in temptation (1 Corinthians 10:6–13). For the Lord is our strength and a shield to all who trust in Him (2 Samuel 22:26–34).—Excerpted from the LSB hymnal project
Readings for the Week of 7th Sunday after Trinity
August 14 Beware of False Prophets—Matthew 7:15-23
1 Samuel 14:47—15:9, Acts 24:1-23
August 15 Paul’s First Missionary Journey–Acts 12:25–13:12
1 Samuel 15:10-35, Acts 24:24–25:12
August 16 Paul Preaches in the Synagogue of Antioch—Acts 13:13-42
1 Samuel 16:1-23, Acts 25:13-27
August 17 Paul and Barnabas Preach in Iconium—Acts 13:42—14:7
1 Samuel 17:1-19, Acts 26:1-23
August 18 Paul and Barnabas Mistaken for Greek Gods–Acts 14:8-28
1 Samuel 17:20-47, Acts 26:24–27:8
August 19 The Jerusalem Council—Acts 15:1-21
1 Samuel 17:48—18:9, Acts 27:9-26
August 20 Sunday’s readings
2 Samuel 22:26–34, 1 Corinthians 10:6–13, Luke 16:1–13
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