DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES
Matt. 13:22 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.
It seems that everyone in our nation is greedy for more money. THAT would be more evidence to me that our nation has turned from God than all the statistics on crimes committed! For the love of money is the root of ALL evil!
But one thing that none seem to consider is that association with wealth has a soul deceitfulness included in it! The Lord tells us in the above listed verse, not only that wealth has a bewitching nature to accompany it, but that it also has the nature of destroying the word of God from our hearts! For just as thorns in one’s garden choke out the fruitfulness of the good plants, so the love of money will choke out the spiritual fruitfulness of the soul of man! – This is a Christ stated fact!
This verse also causes those who labor in the spreading of the word of God to realize that sowing the seed of the word among thorny hearts; that is, hearts who are living in an affluent society where greed and covetousness are already well intrenched, should not wonder that gospel plantings are choked out and do not yield fruit!
And the Apostle Paul tells Timothy that he has witnessed some who have erred from THE faith, by seeking after riches! 1Tim. 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But what can prevent the damnation of the soul regarding this danger? It is the “love of money” that is the problem. Therefore it is the “love of the truth” that is the prevention! 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
It is sad that present day religion has fallen into such a double deception! First of all, religionists in our nation have somewhat of the memory of the scriptures in their minds, but seem not to have the love of the word in their hearts! Then, this being also coupled with ambition for gain is of great soul damning force! They know not that ambition is the cancer of spirituality! 1Tim. 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Rich’s Deception
The deception of riches is set forth in the temptation of our Lord, our great example! For when Satan shows him the kingdoms of the world, and their glory, the way to obtain this Lordship, without the bother of the cross is, “worship me!” Those among our society who hold forth the accumulation of possessions to prove their spirituality, do but ignore the way of the cross, which is the narrow way of true Christianity!
And it is interesting that our Lord makes no comment to Satan concerning the possession of the whole world and it’s glories! Instead, he sets forth the practical cure of this deception by stating that man should only worship the Father! Therefore we understand that true, spiritual worship is of great aid in keeping covetousness from our hearts! For just as greed chokes out the word, so spiritual worship destroys evil ambition, covetousness and the love of money from our souls!
Make no mistake about it, dear reader, covetousness is idolatry! Col. 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
It most certainly is spiritual fornication and spiritual adultery to covet the world’s riches! Many of those who make much ado concerning “Family Values,” who would not think of betraying their life partner, are yet guilty of committing adultery on Christ! James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
If one only possesses the love of the world, be assured that the love of God is not within him! 1John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. It is certain! No one can serve both the true God and the personification of riches, called “mammon!” Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The one thing that the Holy Trinity would not allow their Mediator to possess when becoming Incarnate was wealth! 2Cor. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. For Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man, was to receive the kingdom of God, ruling over it in God’s stead as the last Adam! And none can receive the kingdom who are not “poor in spirit!” (Matt 5: 3).
If you would like to see what evil the love of money brings, just read the 16th chapter of Acts. There in verse 19 we are given to know the motivation behind Paul and Silas being beaten and jailed in Philippi. It is clearly stated, “when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone,”. Paul having cast a demon out of this poor soul caused her to lose her “divination” skills!
But what was reported against these two evangelists? Not a word about loss of money, and wanting her to be kept in satanic bondage! Here is what was said: These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. (Vs.20,21). And most of what goes on in our nation is not about anything else other than greed!
Pastor Gene Breed
