How Wealth May Cost You More Than It’s Worth

Recently, I was driving through Seattle with a good friend in ministry. We were talking about Jesus, money, and possessions — a subject very dear to my heart.

I told him I had been challenged by the Parable of the Sower. In the story, Jesus taught about the four types of foundations in which we can receive the seed of God’s word.

*Photo Credit: Dan Foy, Creative Commons

“What I find so challenging in this parable,” I said to my friend, “is Jesus’s explanation of the third seed being choked by thorns and weeds. Do you know what He said keeps the seed from full maturity? He says it is wealth, pleasure and worry — the very things America is most known for.”

My friend responded defensively.

“Don’t you mean ‘the love of money keeps us from maturity?’ Isn’t that what Jesus said choked out the fruit?”

I stood speechless for a moment searching my brain for the answer. At first, I was dumbfounded, “Oh yeah, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. That makes more sense.”

But the words wealth, pleasure and worry still stood out in my memory to me for a reason.

Fortunately, the Bible app on my smartphone was not far from reach. Sure enough, right there in red pixels on my screen, Jesus’s exact words could be double-checked.

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. (Luke 8:14)

Yes, Jesus spoke out against the love of wealth. But in this story, He also warns us about the danger of its mere existence in our lives.

This is, of course, an unpopular view in our world.

The prevailing view in society (and subsequently churches) is that there is nothing wrong with money. That it should be pursued. That God blesses us with material possessions for our enjoyment. That wealth is always good because it provides more opportunity to give to God’s kingdom.

In America, if you ask a roomful of people who wants to be rich, almost every hand gets raised.

In a society built on pursuing wealth and personal property, Jesus’s words are countercultural.

They stand contrary to everything we have been told since the day we were born.

But Jesus’s words are always life-giving.

Jesus recognized the great danger in wealth. It often becomes an avenue for isolation, pride, and self-sufficiency. It fuels dissatisfaction and discontent. It divides our loyalties. All the while, wealth blinds us to its harmful effects. Jesus calls us to count its true cost.

He reminds us there are more important things to pursue with our lives.

We should not misconstrue His teaching.

He still tells us to work hard, refine our skills, and study our craft. Any student of the New Testament will recognize its call to supply for our families by seeking honest compensation. And there are numerous examples of wealthy Christ-followers in the Bible.

But in a society that is chiefly motivated by its desire for money, routinely assuming its goodness, we would be wise to pay careful attention to Jesus’s warnings.

So when the question is asked, “Who in this room would like to be rich?” we may raise our hand a little bit slower next time. There are greater things at stake.

How Wealth May Cost You More Than It’s Worth is a post from: Storyline Blog