Count the cost. It’s good advice, whether engaging in construction or destruction, whether building or going to war. The picture on our bulletin cover has a man at his abacus, doing the math. Today he’d be at a computer running the numbers on a spreadsheet. Think of how many abandoned projects, how many ill-conceived wars, how many bad business decisions could have been averted by a little preemptive bookkeeping.

Today’s Gospel deals with what goes on at the table. Table fellowship. Jesus was seen at a lot of tables. He broke bread with the highly religious - the Pharisees and the teachers of the Torah, and also with the religious rejects - tax collectors and sinners. In contrast to his cousin John the Baptizer, Jesus always seemed to be at table with someone, so much so, that some people even accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard. Suffice it to say, Jesus was not one to pass up a dinner party.

Why do you come to worship? What do you expect from worship? Worship today means different things to different people. For some it’s inspiration. For some, instruction. An opportunity to pray, to praise, to give thanks. For some it’s a fact; for others it’s a feeling. Some people expect to feel closer to God. Some expect God to speak directly to them in some manner. But what about you? Why do you come here to worship? And what do you expect to find?

Last week, we heard that life is more than the abundance of possessions. Today we hear that life is more than the essentials - food and clothing. Jesus zeros in on our basic, core anxiety - our everyday needs. And He says, “Don’t be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

It’s all about money this morning. And stuff. And how you can’t take it with you, and how foolish it is to try. And how you’ll never enjoy whatever riches you have if you make a religion out of wealth and an idol out of riches.

When it comes to wealth, the Preacher of Ecclesiastes, is an expert. Most people think he’s Solomon, the Son of David, the richest king in the history of Israel. He had it all. To put it in modern terms - cars, houses, women, personal chefs, a wine cellar, horses, gardens. You name it. He was the middle eastern version of excess. Over the top consumption.