“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Mark 4:19

As Jesus tells the parable of the sower, He shows the disciples that one of the temptations that will choke God’s Word out of your life is the deceitfulness of riches. This lie will tell you that successful finances will bring purpose, happiness, power, influence, and security into your life. The devil tries to make you believe that you will only have enough when you have more, and more, and more – but purpose, joy, security, and peace only multiply when they are from God.

Jesus confronts this lie by telling us that our number one pursuit should not be anything other than the Kingdom of God. Think of it this way: money is a wonderful tool, but a terrible master. Seeking purpose, power, and security outside of the will of God will only bring heartache and emptiness. God has created you to be fulfilled by the plans He has for you to accomplish rather than any riches that the world could give you. Your life does not consist of the things you possess, but the things that God is doing in you!

God is the giver of all good gifts, and He gives you things to enjoy them. He wants you to live an abundant life physically, spiritually, and emotionally, but when your focus is only on the physical, you will not see how God wants to bless you in other ways. Just as God so loved the world that He gave, you cannot love without giving. Generous giving also prepares you for eternity! Matthew 6:19-21 says, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The Kingdom of God will outlast all of the riches here on earth!