For whoever hears the Word of God diligently enjoys two great advantages, which could never be enjoyed without that Word. The first is that we learn to know God’s will, how He is disposed towards us and what He will do with us after this life. It is impossible for man to know these things without the Word of God; for be either proceeds on his way securely and presumptuously, without the fear of God and not believing that God is really angry at sin; or, if he has a sufficient knowledge of this fact from the preaching of the law, he can arrive at no other conclusion than that God will condemn him on account of his sin. But the Word of God teaches that, although God is fearfully angry at the impenitent, yet He will be merciful, deliver from sin and death, and give eternal life to all those who turn to Him by true faith in His Son Jesus Christ. This is one blessing we derive from the Word, which therefore we should cheerfully and diligently hear.
The other is this, that we learn from it how our temporal life, vocation and work, being comprehended in the Word of God and sanctified by it, forms a true service of God with which He is well pleased. Therefore to serve God it is not necessary for a man to engage in something extraordinary in his external life, as the monks have been doing. Let him remain in his temporal calling and do what his rulers, office, and position require of him. In this way God is served aright, and is well pleased, and He will grant success and prosperity. (Luther’s House Postil, Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity, Volume 3, p. 696)