Isaiah 62-64

1 Timothy 1

“Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and 
choked the plants.” —Matthew 13:7

When we look around our world today, we are probably the most prosperous generation in history but, at the same time, the most poverty-stricken generation in history. We have an abundance of wealth and access to everything we could ever imagine, but it is not making us any happier or bringing us fulfillment.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells us, “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants….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). Jesus warns His listeners that when God’s Word comes, it may be competing in soil where there are other priorities in life just under the surface. Jesus refers to two types of weeds—worries and wealth. In the former, Jesus specifies it as “the worries of this life,” where the person is not focused on eternity but trying to build their best life now. In the latter, Jesus describes it as “the deceitfulness of wealth,” where the person is trying to move through this life as comfortably as possible, wrapped up in wealth. It is important to keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with having an abundance or being prosperous, but Jesus does warn about the deceitfulness of it because, over time, it may take the position of master. When this happens, wealth becomes a weed that has the potential to choke out the fruitfulness of God’s Word in one’s life.

Some of us may be overly concerned with our 
comfort and well-being in this life and give little to no time focusing on the eternal life. We become consumed with the short amount of years we are moving through this earth and are surrounding ourselves with all the good that this life has to offer, but it is worthless in the life to come. Jesus warns His listeners that all it holds is actually worry.

Have we noticed that the more abundance we have through our smartphones to endless information and endless things that can be delivered to our home, we actually become more anxious. The more wealth we have, the more paranoid we get that it may disappear. But here is the good news, there is an antidote to worry—God’s Word. When His Word is in our life, we prioritize spending time with Him and immersing ourselves in His Word. Then the things of this world grow strangely dim and the things that we were so worked up about get realigned to their proper place in our life.

Dear God, help me to fix my eyes upon You and be intentional about spending time in Your Word, thereby helping me realign my life. Thank You, Lord.