Then [Jesus] said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’ Matthew 22:21
What is God’s?
A question I sometimes ask people is “What belongs to God?” After asking that question—and enjoying the befuddled looks on their faces as they try to think it through—I rephrase the question, “Is there anything that doesn’t belong to God?” And with great relief, they answer, “No.”
Everything belongs to God: The shirt on our back, the car that we drive, the place where we live, the people in our life, the world in which we dwell, the rain, the snow—God made them all, and they all belong to him.
This means that God has also made us. The Psalmist writes, “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Ps. 139:13). Or, to put it another way, you are not a product of chance or an accident. You are truly a one-of-a-kind, specially designed, creation of God who chose to give you life at a particular moment in history and who preserves that life in this world, at least until today.
You belong to God. He is your life-giver and life-preserver. He knows what you need in this life. He also knows that you need a Savior from your wrongdoings that would separate you from him for time and eternity. So, he gave his Son and punished him on the cross in order to save you from wrongdoings, guilt over them, and their eternal consequences.
What belongs to God? You do!
Prayer:
God, help me to respond to your wonderful love by seeing all that you have given me so that I might use everything to serve you. God, help me to always joyfully give to you what is yours. Amen.
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:6-9
A Feast for All His People
There is something special about those moments around the dinner table. Our bodies are nourished by the food we eat. Our relationships are strengthened by the laughs and tears we share. Conversations around that table make our houses into our homes. When families become so busy that they struggle to find the time to sit down and eat together, they long for the simple joy of just sharing a meal.
The prophet Isaiah speaks of a wonderful feast awaiting all God’s children. Our heavenly Father longs to have his whole family gathered on his mountain for a great feast. The Lord personally prepares a feast of rich food for all his people. He does everything he can so that his children might join him. However, this feast comes at great expense.
God sent his Son, Jesus, to reconcile our broken relationship with the Lord. He lived the perfect life none of us are capable of. He shared in our humanity, so that—by his death—he could destroy death that enfolds us. Jesus alone suffered for all the sins of the world. This is how the Lord earned our salvation and how committed he is to the feast.
The Lord God has saved us. One day we will enjoy eternity with him. Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.
Prayer:
Lord Almighty, strengthen my trust in your salvation, until you bring me home to the feast you have prepared for me in heaven. Amen.
“‘Friend,’ [the king] asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.” Matthew 22:12
Presumption
The picture Jesus paints is one of celebration and joy. A king is hosting a lavish, royal wedding feast. But instead of the usual dignitaries you’d expect, Jesus says that this particular king has chosen to do the unexpected. This particular king has chosen to invite anyone and everyone—including people who never would have dreamed of receiving this kind of invitation.
It’s still a royal event, of course—an occasion for dignity and respect. And so, what if you don’t have proper clothes to wear? In Jesus’ story, the king has thought of that too. The king himself provides the wedding clothes so all may enjoy his lavish feast.
And so, the king comes in to enjoy the company of all his shocked and delighted guests—shocked and delighted because here they are, dressed in clothing the king has provided, all so they can savor the kind of meal they have never before experienced in their lives. But as he takes in the sight of all his guests enjoying themselves, one man stands out. What the man is wearing screams, “Inappropriate.” It reeks of apathy and contempt. The man has concluded he does not need to bother with special clothing for the king. But Jesus says that when the king himself personally calls him on it, the man is speechless.
Jesus’ story is about sinful presumption. When it comes to the privilege of standing in God’s presence, there is no room for my sinful presumption. None. And yet, the temptation is there. Twenty-first-century culture can get me to presume I’m just fine as long as I’m “spiritual.” My background can get me to presume I’m just fine because my family name has been in the church directory for generations. My church busyness can get me to presume I’m just fine because I’m busy at church.
But in the presence of the King, such clothing screams, “Inappropriate.” It reeks of apathy and contempt. This is so because, in my presumption, I have forgotten how desperately I need Jesus as my Savior from sin.
My clothing is Jesus. Jesus alone. My reservation for the heavenly banquet comes only through him.
Prayer:
Jesus, thy blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress. Amen.
Fall 2026 meeting update from WELS Conference of Presidents The Conference of Presidents (COP) met at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, Wis., October 6-9, for its annual fall meeting. Although the COP met virtually during […]
»
Home Missions faces $2 million reduction in spending The work of WELS Home Missions has always involved balancing aggressive efforts to plant new churches and reach the lost with wise and diligent stewardship of the resources God provides. […]
»
Fifty writers begin work on theology curriculum: video update In the fall 2026 video update, Melanie Giddings, WELS Lutheran Schools curriculum coordinator, shares progress on the theology curriculum project. Watch the video to learn more about the four writing […]
»
Luther Preparatory School – October 2026 update Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wis., is investing in building a new music center. Matt Crass, president, describes what the “Magnify” project entails and how it will help enhance the […]
1 Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who judges someone else, because by judging the other person you also condemn yourself, since you, who are judging, are doing the very same things. 2 And we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth.
3 Are you thinking that you will escape God’s judgment, you who judge those who do such things and then do the same things yourself? 4 Or do you have so little regard for his rich kindness, his restraint, and his patience, that you ignore the fact that the purpose of God’s kindness is to lead you to repentance? 5 As a result of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God will reveal his righteous judgment.
6 God “will repay each person according to what he has done” [1]— 7 eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality by persisting in doing what is good, 8 but furious anger to those who out of selfish ambition are disobeying what is true and obeying what is wrong. 9 There will be trouble and distress for the soul of every person who does what is evil—for the Jew first and for the Greek— 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good—for the Jew first and for the Greek. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 Indeed, all people who have sinned without law will also perish without law, and all the people who have sinned in connection with law will be judged by law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who will be righteous in God’s sight, but those who do the law who will be declared righteous.
14 In fact, whenever Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires—even though they do not have the law—they are a law for themselves. 15 They demonstrate the work of the law that is written in their hearts, since their conscience also bears witness as their thoughts go back and forth, at times accusing or at times even defending them.
16 This will happen on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge people’s secrets through Jesus Christ.
18 Indeed, God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who try to suppress the truth by unrighteousness. 19 This happens because what can be known about God is evident among them, because God made it evident among them. 20 In fact, his invisible characteristics—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, because they are understood from the things he made. As a result, people are without excuse, 21 because, even though they knew God, they did not honor him or give him thanks as God. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22 Although they claim to be wise, they have become fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human, or like birds, four-footed animals, and crawling things. 24 So, as they followed the sinful desires of their hearts, God handed them over to the impurity of degrading their own bodies among themselves. 25 Such people have traded the truth about God for the lie, worshipping and serving the creation rather than the Creator, who is worthy of praise forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God handed them over to disgraceful passions. Even their females exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 And, in the same way, their males, after abandoning natural sexual relations with females, were consumed by their lust for one another. Males perform indecent acts with males and receive in themselves the penalty that is fitting for their perversion.
28 And since they did not consider it worthwhile to hold on to the true knowledge of God, God handed them over to a corrupted mind to do things that should never be done. 29 They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and malice. They are gossipers, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent mockers, arrogant boasters, and loudmouths. They dream up evil things. They disobey their parents. 31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, and merciless. 32 Even though they know God’s righteous decree that those who do these things are worthy of death, such people not only continue to do them, but also approve of others who continue to commit such sins.
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised in advance through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. 3 This gospel is about his Son—who in the flesh [1] was born a descendant of David, 4 who in the spirit [2] of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and the call to be an apostle on behalf of his name, to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, 6 including you, who were called by Jesus Christ.
7 To all those loved by God who are in Rome, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Desire to Come to Rome
8 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 To be sure, God, whom I serve with my spirit by proclaiming the gospel of his Son, is my witness to how constantly I make mention of you. In all my prayers, 10 I always ask if perhaps at last a way might be opened, if God wills, for me to come to you. 11 I certainly long to see you, in order that I may deliver some spiritual gift to you, so that you are strengthened— 12 that is, when I am with you, that we will be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, yours and also mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware of the fact, brothers, [3] that I have often planned to come to you but have been prevented from doing so until now. I wanted to have some fruit among you in the same way as I did among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I have an obligation both to Greeks and non-Greeks, [4] to the wise and to the foolish. 15 That is why I am eager to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
The Power of the Gospel
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed by faith, for faith, [5] just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.” [6]
Footnotes
Romans 1:3 Here flesh is a reference to Christ’s state of humiliation. See 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18.
Romans 1:4 Here spirit is a reference to Christ’s state of exaltation. See 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18.
Romans 1:13 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
Romans 1:14 Or barbarians
Romans 1:17 Or from faith to faith, or by faith resulting in faith
1 The words of Lemuel, a king. An oracle [1] that his mother used, to teach him discipline:
2 What are you doing, [2] my son! What are you doing, son from my womb! What are you doing, son of my vows! 3 Do not give your strength to women. Do not give your ways to those who destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave beer. 5 If he does, he will drink and forget what is decreed. He will change the legal rights of all the oppressed. 6 Give beer to someone who is perishing and wine to one whose soul is bitter. 7 He will drink and forget his poverty, and he will no longer remember his trouble.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak. Speak for the rights of all those who are defenseless. 9 Speak up, judge fairly, and defend the oppressed and needy.
The Strong Wife [3]
10 Who can find a wife with strong character? [4] Her value is greater than that of gems. 11 Her husband’s heart trusts her, and he never lacks wealth. [5] 12 She does good for him and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She obtains wool and flax. She eagerly works it with her hands. 14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night. She gives food [6] to her household. She gives their share to her female servants. 16 She considers a field and acquires it. From her own income, [7] she plants a vineyard. 17 She wraps strength around her waist like a belt, and she makes her arms strong. 18 She realizes that she makes a good profit. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands for the distaff, and the palms of her hands grasp the spindle. [8] 20 She opens the palm of her hand to the oppressed, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She does not fear for her household on account of snow, because her entire household is clothed in scarlet clothing. [9] 22 She makes bedspreads for herself. Fine linen and purple cloth are her clothing. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits with the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and she delivers belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and kind instruction is on her tongue. 27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her household, and she does not eat bread that she did not work for. 28 Her children rise up and bless her. Her husband rises up and praises her: 29 “Many daughters show strong character, but you have surpassed all of them.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vapor that vanishes, but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised. 31 Give her credit for the fruit of her hands, and let her accomplishments praise her in the city gates.
Footnotes
Proverbs 31:1 The word translated an oracle may also be translated of Massa and placed with the preceding line.
Proverbs 31:2 The Hebrew has only the single word What.
Proverbs 31:10 This closing poem of the book is an alphabetic acrostic, which means successive verses begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This gives an impression of covering every aspect of the topic from A to Z.
Proverbs 31:10 Literally a woman of strength. The Hebrew term for strength may refer to economic power, political power, military power, or strong character. Here the emphasis is on her economic contribution to the family, which is a reflection of her dedication to her family and her community.
Proverbs 31:11 The Hebrew word translated wealth usually refers to loot or spoils of war, not to regular income. Perhaps it highlights her strenuous effort.
Proverbs 31:15 The word translated food usually refers to prey torn by animals, not to food for humans.
Proverbs 31:16 Literally the fruit of her hands
Proverbs 31:19 Distaff and spindle are implements used in spinning thread or yarn.
Proverbs 31:21 Or, with the ancient versions, double clothing
1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle. [1] This man declares: I am weary, God. I am weary, God, and worn out, [2] 2 because I am too unreasoning to be a man. I do not even possess human understanding. 3 I have not learned wisdom. I do not have knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palms of his hands? Who has wrapped the water in a garment? Who has set up all the ends of the earth? What is his name and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!
5 Every word of God has been refined. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words. If you do, he will correct you, and you will be shown to be a liar.
7 Two things I have asked from you. Do not keep them from me before I die: 8 Keep worthless speech and lies far from me. Do not give me poverty or riches. Give me food in the amount that is right for me. 9 Too much, and I may feel satisfied and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Too little, and I may become poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
10 Do not slander a servant to his master. If you do, he will curse you, and you will be found guilty. 11 There is a type of person who curses his father and does not bless his mother. 12 This person is pure in his own eyes, but he is not washed from his filth. 13 This person—how lofty his eyes, how high his eyelids! 14 This person—his teeth are swords, and his fangs are knives. He uses them to devour oppressed people from the earth and poor people from among humanity.
15 The leech has two daughters: Give! Give! Three things are never satisfied. Four never say, “Enough!”: 16 the grave, a closed womb, land that is never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, “Enough!”
17 An eye that mocks its father and despises the obedience due its mother— ravens of the valley will peck it out, and young vultures will eat it.
18 Three things are too wonderful for me, and four I cannot understand: 19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a virgin.
20 This is the way of a woman who commits adultery: She eats and wipes her mouth, and she says, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
21 Three things make the earth tremble. There are four things it cannot endure: 22 a servant when he becomes king, an arrogant fool when he is filled with food, 23 a woman who is hated when she is married, and a slave girl when she replaces her master’s wife.
24 Four things are small on the earth, yet they are wiser than the wisest people: 25 Ants are a species without strength, but they store their food in summer. 26 Rock badgers are a species without power, but they make their home in a cliff. 27 Locusts have no king, but they all march ahead in ranks. 28 Lizards can be caught in your hands, but they live in kings’ palaces.
29 Three things strut impressively. Four walk with dignity: 30 a lion, which is the mightiest among the animals, does not turn away from anything, 31 a strutting rooster, [3] a male goat, and a king reviewing his troops. [4]
32 If you have acted like a fool by exalting yourself, or if you have been scheming, put your hand over your mouth, 33 because just as pressing milk produces cheese, [5] and pressing a nose brings forth blood, so pressing one’s anger produces a fight.
Footnotes
Proverbs 30:1 Or of Massa
Proverbs 30:1 The main Hebrew text seems to read the words translated I am weary and worn out as proper names, to Ithiel and Ucal.
Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase girt of loins is uncertain. It may refer to a strutting animal, such as a rooster, or to a dandy, decked out in fine clothes.
Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the last phrase is uncertain.
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