06/11/2024
My thoughts on recent events, from my perspective being a Christian, a Confessional Lutheran, an American.
“Faith and the Path to True Prosperity”
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today, we gather to reflect not only on the journey of our nation but on the deeper journey of faith that guides us as God’s people. America has long been a land of hope and opportunity, a place where many have come seeking a better life. But as followers of Christ, we know that true prosperity is not measured by wealth or power. True prosperity is found in the abundant life that Jesus offers to each of us—a life rooted in love, service, and faith.
In the Lutheran tradition, we understand that prosperity flows from God’s grace. Our work and our calling are gifts from Him, and our prosperity is a blessing to be shared. Martin Luther reminds us that our faith, which is God’s gift to us, does not stand alone. It moves us to action. As Luther writes in his commentary on the Gospel of John, “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times.” This confidence, this faith, calls us to respond by serving others and working for a better world.
Let us turn to scripture to understand this vision of prosperity more fully. Proverbs 16:3 tells us, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” In our journey as Christians, we learn that all we do must be committed to God. Our labors, our ambitions, our hopes for the future—all are given direction and purpose when rooted in faith. This verse is not a promise of worldly success but a reminder that the work we do in Christ’s name is never in vain.
The Lutheran Confessions emphasize this point. In the Augsburg Confession, we read, “Faith is not only a knowledge of historical events, but a confidence in God for receiving His promised blessings.” Our work is blessed, not because of our effort alone but because of God’s faithfulness. It is this faithfulness that allows us to live out our callings and contribute to the common good.
Lutheran theology places great importance on vocation—the idea that each of us is called to serve God and our neighbor through our daily lives. Whether you are a teacher, a caregiver, a farmer, or an office worker, your vocation is a sacred calling. Luther taught that the most ordinary acts of daily life, when done in faith, are pleasing to God. He said, “The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”
Our call to serve extends beyond our personal lives. We are called to seek justice and to care for one another. As Proverbs 11:25 reminds us, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” When we reach out in love, offering our resources and talents for the good of others, we fulfill Christ’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves. Prosperity is not for the individual alone but for the flourishing of the community. It is our faith in God’s abundance that allows us to be generous and courageous, even when the world tells us to hold back or seek our own gain.
Friends, the path to true prosperity is not always easy. We face challenges in our society and in our own lives. Yet we are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:26, “With God all things are possible.” In moments of struggle, we can trust that God is with us, guiding our steps and renewing our strength. And as we seek a brighter future for all, we can hold onto this assurance with hope and confidence.
In Micah 6:8, we are given a clear call: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This is the essence of the Christian life. To act justly is to seek fairness and righteousness, to love mercy is to extend compassion, and to walk humbly is to remember that our strength comes from God alone. When we live by these principles, we build a legacy of hope, justice, and kindness—a prosperity that reflects the Kingdom of God.
The Lutheran Confessions remind us that our faith leads us to good works, not as a means of earning God’s favor but as a natural response to His grace. As the Apology of the Augsburg Confession declares, “Faith which apprehends grace and forgiveness of sins, does not remain in those who are obedient to the flesh, but produces good fruits.” These good fruits are our actions in the world—the ways we care for others, seek peace, and work for the common good. Our prosperity, therefore, is a blessing meant to be shared, a light that shines in a world in need of hope.
As we go forth, let us commit ourselves anew to this vision of faith and prosperity. May we seek not only to better our own lives but to bless the lives of those around us. May we serve one another with humility and love, building a community where all are cared for and respected. And may we trust that in Christ, our labors are never in vain, for we serve a God of abundant grace and unending mercy.
And now, as we close, I offer you this benediction from the words of the Apostle Paul, a blessing deeply cherished in our Lutheran tradition:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This sermon format incorporates scriptural exegesis, Lutheran doctrines of vocation and faith, and concludes with the Lutheran benediction, aligning prosperity with a life of service, faith, and communal well-being.
While the image author is AI, it does reflect my thoughts and feelings accurately as a Christian American.
