{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"August 31, 2025 \u2013 Luke 14:1, 7-14 \u2013 by Pastor Beth Ann Stone","description":"1\u2006On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. \u2003\u202f7\u2006When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable.\u202f8\u2006\u201cWhen you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host,\u202f9\u2006and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, \u2018Give this person your place,\u2019 and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place.\u202f10\u2006But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, \u2018Friend, move up higher\u2019; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.\u202f11\u2006For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.\u201d \u2003\u202f12\u2006He said also to the one who had invited him, \u201cWhen you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.\u202f13\u2006But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.\u202f14\u2006And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.\u201d  ","author_name":"Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church","author_url":"https:\/\/spaceshipchurch.org","html":"