Worries Riches and Pleasures

Jesus in the the story of the grain that bears more fruit calls out worries riches and pleasures when he explains the parable.

¹³ Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. ¹⁴ The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Jesus notes several risks, but lets talk about the seeds in the thorns. They do not produce a crop.

Worries Riches and Pleasures Are Risks For Us

Jesus told us not to worry. He knows it hurts us. Worrying takes our eyes our Triune God who longs to provide for us in every way. Worrying means our eyes are on our circumstances and not on Jesus. I do it and know it is true. It drags me down. Riches seems opposite, and yes in life, there are usually two ditches. Riches also cause us to take our eyes off Jesus. We trust in what we have and may even stop praying.

Pleasures seems totally different.  I take pleasure in ice cream, potato chips, staying physically active, and succeeding in my occupation. I also take pleasure in seeing people come to faith and grow in it.   What is Jesus talking about? Pleasure is usually not productive. Hmm, choked by pleasures. When my life is a pursuit for pleasures, it is driving out God. I am giving myself over to pleasures and losing my heart for God. My pleasure best be with God even with my ice cream. This is not a command from God. He loves us and wants us to bear fruit just as we hope to.