The Deceitfulness of Riches

A phrase I keep thinking about from my study this week is 'the deceitfulness of riches.'

This Greek construction is only used in Matthew 13 and Mark 4 in the parable of the sower.

"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." - Matthew 13:22 ESV

"but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." - Mark 4:19 ESV

It is not used anywhere else in the Bible and it is not used in Luke's version of the parable in Luke chapter 8.

It is amazing that cares and the illusion of security are what stands between us and fruitfulness isn't it?

'If I only had more ____ then I would be free.' Is an illusion. A very powerful deception indeed.

The 'have not's of this world greatly out number the ones that have material wealth and even then rich people feel lack also in a thousand different ways. Very few of us are ever rich enough in a material sense.

I want my desire to match God's desire not interfere with it. Oh, What a miracle it is when that happens. Fruit abounds when that happens.

We all have needs and money helps. No doubt. But I don't want to live in the lie that it is going to fix everything. Only Jesus can fix everything and He has laid all the groundwork for that to happen at the cross. It is finished!

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7 ESV

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