Cares, Cost, and Calamity
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Aug 1, 2024
- 2 min read
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22)
Satan wants to use every tool in his arsenal to distract, deceive, and deter you from the harvest that God plans for your life. The first way he does so is through difficult circumstances. In Greek, the word is thlipsis, which means pressure, tests, and trials. Have you ever been under extreme pressure and not knowing how to handle your difficult situation? Some people will turn to God and God’s Word, and others will give up because they feel the pressure is too great.
But that’s not all the enemy brings to steal away the power of God’s Word. The next is the cares of this world. The Greek word for care here is merimna, which means distractions, anxieties, and worries. These can divert our focus from God’s Word and its transformative power. You can become distracted by a boy or girl, a situation, or the tasks you must accomplish in everyday life.
However, one of the most potent distractions Satan brings is the deceitfulness of riches. Deceitfulness here means being deluded or misled into thinking that wealth is the ultimate solution to your problems. Some think, “If I only had more money, then everything would be fine, and issues would disappear, and I would be happy.” That’s being delusional.
Watch the news, look at articles, and you will see stories of people who had millions of dollars and whose lives are in shambles and a mess. They are in multiple marriages, their children hate them, and they die early. Did the money solve anything? Money will not save you, and money is not the answer. I’m not saying that money is evil. It’s a tool that can be used for evil or for good. The question isn’t if you have money; the question is, does money have you? If money is the focus of your life, it will open you up to all manner of evil you didn’t think you were capable of.
Practical Application
Money is not evil, but it is also not the goal. Be watchful for opportunities to gain wealth that cause you to be willing to compromise what is right in God’s sight.
