A pointed sermon - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Therefore you are inexcusable, o man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practise the same things.
Romans 2:1.

A pointed sermon
"I enjoyed your sermon yesterday," a farmer said, when the pastor visited him. "But there was only one thing: I wish that you had preached even more pointedly. But please don't take offence."

"No, indeed! Perhaps the sermon could have been more pointed." - "Yes, especially when you spoke about conversion and greed. You wouldn't believe what skinflints we have in the parish. It says in the Bible: ʻSeek first the kingdom of God." You ought to have stressed that more.ʼ

Eventually the preacher turned to go. The farmer accompanied him to the door. In the next room, whose door happened to be open, hung hams and many other meat products that were a joy to behold.

The preacher stopped and said, "Before I came here, I was with the widow Mrs Craig. You know she has six children. She finds it difficult to make ends meet and needs our support. You have some fine hams hanging here. Would you fetch one down for Mrs Craig?" - "What! A whole ham? That's a lot; a piece would do." - "No, no: she needs a whole one. You are a wealthy man. Won't you part with just one ham?" - "Well, if I really must. Take it!"

When the farmer had handed over the ham, the preacher asked, "Was that sermon pointed enough?" - "Yes, a bit too much" replied the farmer.

Today's reading: Obadiah vv. 1-11 · Proverbs 25:19-28