Posted on 12/11/2025 11:42:20 PM PST by metmom
“‘And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful’” (Matthew 13:22).
Few things obstruct the gospel’s reception in someone’s heart more than the general love of the world and wealth. Note these warnings:
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Tim. 6:10)
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1 John 2:15–16)
The worldly hearer in this parable is oblivious to the deception of money and its inability to give lasting satisfaction. He or she doesn’t notice how worldliness—the worshipful priority of money, possessions, career, and other temporary affairs—can smother the Word. Such a reality shows that the individual has a heart full of sinful weeds that cannot coexist for long with the Word of God. If faith is genuine, it will forsake the world; otherwise, sin will choke out the Word.
Christ’s cleansing is thorough in true conversion. Salvation removes sin’s weeds from the heart and prepares it to receive the seed of the Word. Genuine believers will continually confess sin and allow the Lord to be “faithful and righteous to forgive” (1 John 1:9), freeing them from sin’s domination.
Ask Yourself
Does this mean money is a bad thing?
Should it be avoided by people who bear the name of Christ?
How would you define a proper, biblical perspective on wealth and possessions?
Studying God’s Word ping
It’s all a matter of priorities. Wealth, career, activities etc. are not sins but placing them above Christ is. When you pray, praise the Lord for His grace and mercy, reflect on what He may ask of you and vow to put God’s priorities above your own. As Jesus, Himself, prayed the night He was betrayed, “Not My Will but Thine”.
God knows the response of every heart. For some, the seed of the Gospel will take root. For some, the seed will be planted but take years to rise up. For others, it will never rise up. The parable is stating as simple fact - that some will reject Jesus, some will receive Him and others will respond later in life.
Good Parable
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.