September 20 2020

First Reading

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For

I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia,

that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I

sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said,

ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you

unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident

boasting. Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go

before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before,

that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But

this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth

bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,

so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God

is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all

things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he

hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever. Now he that ministereth

seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and

increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in everything to all

bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration

of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many

thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God

for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution

unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the

exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks, be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Second Reading

James 5:1-9

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver are

cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as

it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the

labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth:

and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of

sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished

your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he

doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold,

the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it,

until he receives the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the

coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be

condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Gospel

Mark 4:24-38

And he said unto them, take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be

measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him

shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he

knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the

ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he

putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 30 And he said, whereunto shall we

liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a

grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that

be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs,

and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the

shadow of it. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were

able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were

alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. And the same day, when the even was

come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent

away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with

him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into

the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a

pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?