Are you the third seed?
In Matthew 13, Jesus taught this parable.
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear." Matthew 13:1-9 (NIV)
When Jesus explained what this parable meant, I find so many today live in the place of that third seed, the seed that fell among the thorns.
"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." Matthew 13:22 (NIV)
Worries of life, and deceitfulness of wealth.
Worries. All those things that keep us up at night. How will I accomplish this, what will I do about that, if only I could... and on and on it goes. I find it interesting that Jesus connects this not to wealth, but the deceitfulness of wealth.
What is that?
Jesus is saying that when wealth becomes the answer to your worries that is a lie. Now, I'm not saying we don't need to work, have money to pay our bills. But the answer to life's worries is never more money.
A hugely popular show was "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" It was made popular because it tapped into this lie. All that tension created because you wanted to see if that person would solve all their problems by running the gauntlet of questions to the ultimate prize.
How many people play the lottery for the same reason?
Jesus said that this line of reasoning, worry and looking to wealth as the answer, will choke the Word of God in our lives.
So what is the answer? What do we do with these legitimate concerns?
The answer is always Jesus.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
