Matthew 13:3b, "A sower went out to sow... "
Verse 7: "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants."
Verse 22: "As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it proves unfruitful."
Prayer:
Lord, help us be free of those things that get in the way of our new life in You. Deal with anything that You can see in our lives, that is preventing us from bearing fruit to Your glory. Help us always remember that our vitality comes from You. Bless us now, dear Lord, through Your life-giving Word, Amen.
"All the money in the world will make you happy." True or false? False!
Wealth is deceitful. And it can be deadly, spiritually deadly. God warns us in 1 Timothy 6:10, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." The previous verse says, "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." The temptation is that we decide not to trust God for our daily bread, but instead we look to our wealth.
In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul instructs Timothy to do this: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." How is wealth described here? It is "so uncertain."
We know that... don't we? Ask anyone involved in the Stock market. Ask any farmer, who has no guarantee of a harvest, or good commodity prices. Ask any self-funded retiree whose plans for the future had to change, as interest rates fell. Wealth is uncertain.
Jesus describes it as "deceitful." We think our wealth will always be with us, and we tend to feel secure when we have money in the bank. On the other hand, if we are struggling for a crust, so to speak, we might be full of anxiety. I ask you, whether you have plenty or hardly anything: what are you trusting? What are you looking to? If you trust in your wealth, or if you think that more money will bring you life, you are deceived. Hear the word of God: In Matthew 6, Jesus says, "No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
You cannot. Are you trying? If you are trying to serve both, then I will ask you, how's your spiritual life? How is your relationship with God? Struggling, or flourishing?
The deceitfulness of wealth, and the worry that goes with lack of trust in God, act as noxious weeds in the garden of our heart. 1 Timothy 6: 10 tells us what God sees happen every day: "...the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Maybe you know people who have wandered from the faith. They let go of faith in God, and put their faith in... the things of this world. What will happen? According to this Scripture, they will pierce themselves with many griefs. Money is a tool, it's not evil in itself. Grief does not come from money, or lack of money, but from the state of your heart. A heart that has no room for God, is an empty, sad place, no matter what we might try to fill it with.
God has a better way:
Hear Jesus' words from Matthew 6: (from verse 25) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Did you hear these words? You are valuable to God. He cares for you. He knows all your needs, and has promised to look after you.
His words of love and kindness come like seeds. They sprout, and grow, because they are powerful, life-giving words. God's words have power to make us fruitful. By His word, God releases us from our guilt. He lifts our shame. He heals our wounds, and brings comfort for every sorrow. But these words need room to grow. It is possible to allow the weeds of worry and unbelief to grow, and become so strong in our lives, that God's Words do not have the desired effect.
"Some seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants."
What's it like to choke? To gasp for breath? To have a blockage in your airway, because something has lodged there, which does not belong there?! When we worry, when we are anxious, it can make us short of breath. A very simple way of finding relief when we are worried, is to sit quiet for a moment, and breathe. Breathe deeply. Receive God's gift of fresh air for your lungs. But also read, remember, and think about God's promises. Aswe hear and remember God's Word, we receive the gift of His Spirit. He is the breath of life. One of God's promises is this one in 1 Peter 5:7 -"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
When you are anxious about anything, breathe deep, and remind yourself, "God cares for me. God cares for me. I don't have to be afraid. The Lord of the universe, who is Jesus my saviour - He will look after me." Ask for God's comfort. Ask for strength. Ask Him to take away the anxiety, and replace it with faith.
Matthew 6: 31-33 (paraphrased) So don't worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' The unbelieving world runs after all these things, but your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Just focus on what God is doing and what He wants you to do, and seek his gift of righteousness, and everything you need will be given to you as well."
There are all kinds of things that can act like thorny weeds, and stifle the faith that God gives us through His word. How is it with you? Does worry have a grip on you? Is misplaced trust in money holding you back? There may be other things in your life, that you know, are choking you. God wants to see His Word have room to grow and flourish in your life. He wants to bring a harvest of joy and peace and love, He wants to bless you, and make you a blessing for others. Ask God to set you free from anything that holds you back. Take up the opportunities your God is giving you to grow, through worship, reading, prayer, fellowship and service. The life God wants to share with you, and through you, is as free as the air we breathe. So breathe deep, and let your faith grow and flourish, as you continue to receive God's Word with joy.
Amen.
The peace of God which is beyond all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Amen.