If Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived shouldn't we pay attention to what he said? He spoke about wealth several times, so what did he say and what will it mean to me?
In the parable of the sower Christ explained reasons why people do not respond to his teaching. The last reason was, "But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word making it unfruitful." Mark 4:19.
DECEITFUL
The Lord uses a strong and negative word to describe riches. Something or someone who is deceitful is dishonest, tells lies, tricks others, and can't be trusted. A thing that is deceitful hides the truth. It promises one thing and gives another.
Riches promise much but it gives little. Wealth promises happiness, ease, popularity, comfort, power, freedom, enjoyment and more, but the wealthy are still lonely, worry, seek refuge, suffer depression, and continue to search for meaning.
RICHES CHOKE
To choke something is to slowly rob it of the air it needs to live. Often it is slow. The deceitfulness of wealth may slowly choke your life of the best. It may happen so slowly that you are not aware of it.
UNFRUITFUL
We may believe God and his Holy Word but the deception of riches can rob us of God's best blessings.
Instead we should remember the promises of the Father in Heaven who never breaks a promise and "delight in the Lord for he will give you the desire of your heart, (Psalm 37:4); and "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and these things will be added to you as well," (Matthew 6:33).
In the parable of the sower Christ explained reasons why people do not respond to his teaching. The last reason was, "But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word making it unfruitful." Mark 4:19.
DECEITFUL
The Lord uses a strong and negative word to describe riches. Something or someone who is deceitful is dishonest, tells lies, tricks others, and can't be trusted. A thing that is deceitful hides the truth. It promises one thing and gives another.
Riches promise much but it gives little. Wealth promises happiness, ease, popularity, comfort, power, freedom, enjoyment and more, but the wealthy are still lonely, worry, seek refuge, suffer depression, and continue to search for meaning.
RICHES CHOKE
To choke something is to slowly rob it of the air it needs to live. Often it is slow. The deceitfulness of wealth may slowly choke your life of the best. It may happen so slowly that you are not aware of it.
UNFRUITFUL
We may believe God and his Holy Word but the deception of riches can rob us of God's best blessings.
Instead we should remember the promises of the Father in Heaven who never breaks a promise and "delight in the Lord for he will give you the desire of your heart, (Psalm 37:4); and "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and these things will be added to you as well," (Matthew 6:33).
