Marked as Righteous
Sunday’s Verse:
From Luke 16:10 ESV
(Jesus said) "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Jesus isn’t merely talking about money. He’s talking about trust. Character. The kind that shows up in the small stuff—the daily habits, the quiet decisions no one sees, the integrity that holds even when there’s nothing big at stake.
In this verse, Jesus is drawing a straight line from the “little” to the “much.” If we’re cutting corners in the small things, why would we expect to handle bigger responsibilities any differently? But the reverse is also true—and that’s the encouragement. God sees faithfulness even in the small. The prayers whispered at bedtime. The dollar given in secret. The temptation resisted when no one’s watching.
As Lutherans, we know we are not saved by our faithfulness, but by grace through faith. Yet, the fruits of faith do show up in how we live, and Jesus is calling us here to live with integrity—not to impress, but to reflect the One who has been perfectly faithful to us. Christ was faithful in everything, even to death on a cross. And now, in Him, we are free to live lives marked by that same faithfulness—not to earn His love, but because we already have it.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord, thank You for faithfulness when I fail. Teach me to be faithful in little. Mold my heart to be like Yours, in the mundane and the mighty. Help me live a life that is pleasing to You—not to earn Your favor, but because I already stand in it. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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