You Cannot Serve God and Wealth: Breaking the Cycle of Violence

Explore the challenging words of Jesus: 'You cannot serve God and wealth' and their profound implications for our modern lives. This message examines how greed manifests beyond material possessions—appearing whenever power is hoarded, control supersedes compassion, and comfort outweighs concern for others' wellbeing. Discover how our relationship with wealth and power connects to cycles of violence in society, from political conflicts to tragic school shootings. Learn how the Lutheran understanding that everyone is simultaneously saint and sinner offers a path forward that honors human dignity while acknowledging our universal need for mercy. The message challenges the notion that violence can solve violence, pointing to Jesus' example of forgiveness even toward his executioners. The resurrection stands as ultimate proof that love overcomes hate, mercy surpasses vengeance, and life defeats death.Practical applications include:- Examining where we might serve wealth rather than God- Recognizing complexity in others rather than simplistic categorization- Extending forgiveness even when difficult- Finding alternatives to responding to harm with more harm- Planting seeds of God's kingdom through intentional acts of love.