|
As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word,
but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22
This is Jesus explanation of part of the parable of the sower. He
was saying that people remain unfruitful because of their worries of
the world and attachments to riches. In his Sermon on the Mount,
Jesus specifically command us not to worry.
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your
life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your
body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body
more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we
eat? or `What shall we drink? or `What shall we wear? Matthew
6:31
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the days own trouble
be sufficient for the day. Matther 6:34
Notice that the most often repeated words are Therefore do not be
anxious. In scripture, if a phrase is repeated, it is a sign that
this is important. Jesus knew that worry is natural to us and he
knows that worry will choke us. So he commands us not to worry.
Worry clouds our judgement. It makes us blind to the goodness and
faithfulness of the Lord. The reason why worry makes us unfruitful is
that it makes us afraid to a point of paralysis. We hesitate to do
anything because of our fear. In these cases, the Lord wants us to
make a decision – any decision – in faith. I personally
believe that worry or fear is a good sign that we are on the right
track – because the devil is the one who puts these thoughts in
our mind.
The second thing that can choke us is delight in riches. Lukes
version says, “delight in riches and pleasure”. So
delight in riches and pleasure chokes the word. St. Paul says that
greed is idolatry. If our main goal in life is to pursue riches, fame
and pleasure, then we are making these into idols. We will compromise
our values to attain these. Compromising our values will never get us
to bear fruit.
So paralysis due to worry and greed chokes the word. The word dies
slowly. First is a compromise, then another and another, until in the
end, we will give reasons for every thing we do that is contrary to
the Word.
Let us then pray that we may have courage to seek the Lords
kingdom and do his will. May the Lord give us courage to be faithful
to his word.
|
