The Tuesday after the Ninth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 19, 2025 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 6:32-36 (NKJV)
6:32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Devotion
The shrewd steward from Sunday’s parable knew that people tend to love those who love them, and that they will repay favors done to them. He used this quite effectively to his own advantage, distributing his master’s wealth so that he might receive something in return. Christians, however, should be concerned about obtaining the love of God, not men. God’s love is not at all like man’s love. He does not bestow His love on those who love Him first, nor does He give so that He can get something in return.
Scripture teaches us that God showers His greatest blessings upon whoever believes in His Only-Begotten Son. We are received into His loving, eternal home through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus loved us while we were still sinners, and He died for us, freely offering salvation, without demanding any payment in return.
We are unable to repay Him for this great love. But by the power of His Holy Ghost we may give Him thanks by obeying Him, by showing love to our enemies, and by doing good without expecting anything in return. We do not need anything from our neighbor anyway. We are not looking for a secure home by the love of men. We have our place as forgiven servants in God’s household.
Collect: Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of Thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
