By the Rev. Micah Krey
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for Proper 20, Year C
September 21, 2025
Key Verse: No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. — Luke 16:13
Jesus’ words at the close of the parable of the dishonest manager (Luke 16:1–13) cut to the heart of stewardship: “You cannot serve God and wealth.” The challenge here is not about whether money is good or bad. Scripture acknowledges that resources are necessary for life and for sustaining community. The question is: do we use money as a tool in service of God’s kingdom, or has money become our master? That distinction lies at the heart of stewardship.
The parable itself can feel confusing. The manager is dishonest, and yet Jesus praises his shrewdness. The point is not that Jesus endorses corruption but that he notices the urgency with which the manager acts. Faced with crisis, the manager uses what he has (connections, creativity, and yes, even money) to secure a future. Jesus invites disciples to show the same urgency and creativity in using our resources for God’s purposes. The issue is not whether we will use our resources, but how.
Amos 8 provides a sobering backdrop. The prophet rails against those who manipulate the market, cheat with dishonest scales and treat the poor as expendable. Here we see what happens when wealth becomes the master. Exploitation replaces compassion. Greed replaces justice. God does not remain silent in the face of such abuse. Amos reminds us that stewardship is not neutral; our economic choices and practices impact others, especially the most vulnerable. When we hoard, cheat, or ignore the cries of the poor, we are not simply mismanaging money—we are rejecting God’s call to justice.
Psalm 113 pulls us in another direction, lifting our eyes toward God’s economy. God is the One who raises the poor from the dust and seats them with rulers. This vision runs counter to the logic of wealth accumulation and power consolidation. It proclaims that God notices the forgotten and brings them to honor. When our stewardship reflects this vision—when our money, time, and energy align with God’s work of lifting up the lowly—we are serving God rather than wealth.
In preaching this Sunday, these texts push us to examine the allegiances of our daily lives. Whom do we serve with our calendars? Whom do we serve with our bank accounts? Whom do we serve with our votes, our voices, and our habits? Stewardship is not simply about balancing church budgets or funding ministries; it is about declaring, with our lives, that God is the master we follow.
To serve God is to live generously, creatively, and justly. It is to treat resources not as possessions to cling to but as gifts to be shared. It is to make decisions that echo Psalm 113’s proclamation: that God lifts the poor, notices the forgotten, and transforms the world through love. In Christ, we are freed from serving wealth so that we might serve God with joy. That is the heart of stewardship.
In Worship
These readings invite worship that contrasts God’s economy with the economy of exploitation. Hymns like God of Grace and God of Glory or Canticle of the Turning highlight God’s justice and reversal of power. A confession and forgiveness could name the times we have served wealth rather than God or have misused resources, followed by an assurance of forgiveness that frees us to live differently. A visual symbol in the sanctuary or bulletin could drive the point home—perhaps placing a cross on the altar alongside a basket of food and a basket of coins. Worship leaders might invite the congregation to dedicate not just their offerings, but their whole lives, to serving God’s kingdom of justice and mercy.
Worship with Youth
Youth are keenly aware of competing masters/priorities—whether it’s school, sports, social media, or money. A youth gathering could begin with a discussion: “What takes up most of your time, money, or energy? How do you decide what matters most?” Invite them to journal or share about a time when they had to make a choice between competing priorities (a schedule conflict between sports or music; a decision to spend time with friends or do homework; going to church or staying over at a sleepover). There’s not always a “right” decision. To make it tangible, give each student two index cards. On one, write something that demands their attention (social media, grades, money, popularity). On the other, write one way to serve God with what they have (time, kindness, generosity, advocacy). Discuss how hard it can be to choose, but how stewardship is about aligning life with God’s purposes. Close with prayer asking God to help them serve with freedom and joy.
Worship with Children
Bring a dollar bill and a cross. Hold them up and ask the children: “If you had to pick one, which would you choose? Why?” Explain that money can be very helpful, we can buy food, clothes, or toys. But if money becomes our main focus, we might forget to care about people. God wants us to use what we have to love others, not just ourselves. Invite the children to name ways they can share: a toy with a friend, time with a sibling, kindness with someone new. End with: “Jesus says we can’t serve both God and money. Let’s choose to serve God with our whole hearts.” Pray together, thanking God for giving us good things and asking for help to share.
Previous reflections for Proper 20C:
2016 – Calling all prayerful peacemakers
2013 – Fully Faithful
2010 – Lost in transaction
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