A PRAYER FOR THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

We've got made, Lord

Just look at us

The stock market is booming

our investments are growing

our savings account is bulging

We have money to splurge

things to buy

and stuff to collect

We've got made, Lord

Just look at us

Our house is in good shape

all paid off

renovated to the hilt

Yard is trimmed and groomed

Pool is refreshed and ready

Ribs are on the grill

We've got made, Lord

Just look at us

Three cars in the garage

Places to go and things to see

Trips to take and cruises to sail

time to kick back

and soak in the rays

take it easy

We've got made, Lord

Just look at us

We worked hard

showed up every day

exceeded expectations

Now we can ease up

enjoy retirement

not worry bout a thing

We've got made, Lord

Just look at us

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?

Forgive us, Lord

We get carried away by all

of our accomplishments

and forget that everything we have

is a gift from you

Forgive us, Lord

We grow arrogant and proud

thinking what we made is our achievement

when all we do and create

comes with your guidance and assistance

Forgive us, Lord

for gathering things of the earth

and neglecting to lay up

treasures in heaven

and spiritual gifts

Forgive us, Lord

and remind us that our

work for you is never done

til you call us home

To be with you

Amen