In Matthew Chapter 13 we read of several parables among which is the Parable of the sower:
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon astony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7And some fell among athorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and abrought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Later in the same chapter we are given the interpretation:
18 ¶aHear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, andaunderstandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and bcatchethaway that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into astony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for whenatribulation or bpersecution ariseth because of the word, by and byche is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this aworld, and the bdeceitfulness ofcriches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he thataheareth the word, and bunderstandeth it; which also bearethcfruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Volumes could be written and probably have been written about this parable. But I would like to focus on one small part today.. the part that deals with the seed that was sown among the thorns.
and the care of this aworld, and the bdeceitfulness of criches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Is your seed being choked by the cares of the world? What are the cares of the world? The “decietfulness of riches” is specifically mentioned. As a father I can empathize with the those who are tempted to focus all their attention on making a living. It’s difficult to make sure that not only your families immediate needs are met, but also that you have enough laid up in store for the future. However the problem here doesn’t seem to be one of working too much but more so of where our focus is. It seems that when we focus our attention on the cares of this world, we lose sight of the eternal focus we need. Thus as the scripture says, we become “unfruitful.”
We start serving ourselves instead of the Lord. The key here is that everything in this life is temporary, along with the cares of this world. We need to base our choices on an eternal perspective rather than what seems important right now. Another scripture says:
Luke 12:34
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
And remember, that the Lord is concerned mainly with our hearts. I testify that if we put our focus on the Lord and His kingdom rather than building up our own kingdoms, that the Lord will bless you and prosper you not only in the world to come, but starting today.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.