This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
We have been looking at “The Mother of All Parables.” Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
(Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.
Yesterday I focused on the words “the love of money”. The King James Version calls it “the deceitfulness of riches.” That’s what I talk about today. Pursuing money over pursuing God proves to be a deceitful pursuit.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Pursuing money over pursuing God is not worth it.
— The endless pursuit of money often causes people to wind up with the money, only to realize that they have lost everything else along the way. Many lose their families, integrity, and even their health in a tireless pursuit of money. Jesus once asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Mat 16:26). What good will the money be if you lose everything that matters to get it?
— The pursuit of money can be deceitful, as it promises fulfillment but often leaves individuals feeling empty and unfulfilled. Despite accumulating wealth, many find themselves still searching for purpose and meaning in their lives.
— Money cannot satisfy the deepest longings of the heart. Those who solely pursue wealth often discover that material possessions alone cannot bring true happiness, inner peace, or lasting contentment.
— The love of money can blind individuals to the things that truly matter in life. When money becomes the primary focus, relationships, personal well-being, and spiritual growth are often neglected, resulting in a sense of emptiness and brokenness.
— True fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God’s purpose and priorities. Pursuing a meaningful relationship with Him, developing healthy connections with others, and making a positive impact on the world around us bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment that money alone cannot provide.
— The pursuit of money should never overshadow the pursuit of a meaningful and purpose-driven life. When we prioritize seeking God, fulfilling our divine assignment, and living in alignment with His principles, we experience a sense of wholeness and fulfillment that transcends material wealth.
— Contentment and true riches are found in a heart fully surrendered to God rather than in the accumulation of wealth. As we place our trust in Him and seek His kingdom above all else, we discover a richness that extends far beyond financial prosperity.
— Let us guard our hearts against the deceitfulness of wealth and focus on cultivating qualities such as love, compassion, integrity, and generosity. These virtues bring true fulfillment and have a lasting impact on our lives and the lives of others.
— Recognize that wealth is not a measure of personal worth or significance. Our value and identity are rooted in our relationship with God, not in our bank accounts. Embrace the truth that you are loved, accepted, and valued by God, regardless of your financial status.
— Choose to live a life of purpose, driven by a desire to make a positive impact on others and leave a lasting legacy. Seek to use your financial resources as tools for blessing, supporting God’s work, and helping those in need.
2. What does a Godly mindset about money look like?
— Understand the purpose and proper role of money in your life. Money is a tool that can bless others, support God’s kingdom, and help fulfill your divine assignment. When you align your financial pursuits with God’s purpose, you unlock the potential for more significant impact and fulfillment.
— Develop a healthy relationship with money by recognizing that it is a resource, not the source of your security or identity. Your true worth and significance come from your relationship with God, not your financial status. Seek contentment in Him, knowing that He will provide for your needs.
— Embrace a mindset of abundance and prosperity based on God’s promises. Allow His Word to shape your thoughts and beliefs about money. Believe that you are a steward of God’s blessings, and as you faithfully manage what He has entrusted to you, He will multiply it and bring increase into your life.
— Cultivate a spirit of generosity and giving. Recognize that true wealth is not measured solely by the amount of money you possess but by the impact you have on the lives of others. Freely share your resources, talents, and time to bless those in need, and trust that God will continue to provide for you abundantly.
— Break free from the grip of greed and materialism. Avoid the trap of constantly pursuing more and accumulating possessions for the sake of self-gratification. Shift your focus to eternal values and invest in things that have lasting significance, such as relationships, character development, and impacting others for God’s kingdom.
— Trust in God’s faithfulness and provision in all seasons of life. Remember that He is your ultimate source, and He knows your needs even before you ask. Release any anxiety or worry about your financial future and place your confidence in His ability to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.
3. Don’t put your trust in money; put your trust in God.
Solomon, both the wisest and richest man of his day, said, “Those who trust in their riches will fall like dead leaves, but the righteous will prosper like the leaves of summer” (Prov 11:28). In Mark 4:19, a scripture we have been studying over and over again, Jesus said, “The people who are like thorny ground receive the Word, but “The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, choke the word, making it unfruitful.” One of the definitions for the word “deceitful” includes the word “untrustworthy.” That’s really the message behind Solomon’s teaching. His point is about trust. Solomon was a Billionaire (or maybe a Trillionaire), and he taught us NOT to trust in riches. He does not cut any corners, either. Solomon plainly states that those who trust in their riches will fall like dead leaves. These are leaves that were once green, full, and flourishing, but after a change of season, the leaves dried up, changed colors, and eventually fell. Solomon then contrasts that image with the image of the righteous, who will prosper like the leaves of summer.
4. You must make your choice between serving God and serving money.
— God is not opposed to you having money. His problem is with money having you. If you have a proper relationship with money, God can give you loads of it. But He just does not want you to put your trust in it.
— If your trust is in your wealth and not in God, then your wealth has become your god.
— Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and Money” (Mat 6:24). You can either put your trust in God, honor Him with your finances, and do whatever He tells you to do with the money He places in your hands; or you can pursue money and make money the focal point of your life. If you do, you will quickly find out that you don’t like that scenario. Money makes an excellent servant but a poor master. Let money serve you, don’t serve it! If you serve it, you will wind up deceived and disappointed.
— If you let money serve you, and you do with it whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to do, then you will wind up with a heart full of gratitude and fulfillment, knowing God used what He put in your hands for His glory.
— A steward is a manager. If you steward (or manage), the money God places in your oversight well, He will give you more. Why? Because you have proven to be a conduit of Kingdom finance. When you get to this point, money will be part of your ministry.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
Pursuing money over pursuing You is not worth it. I choose a purpose-driven life aligned with Your will.
The pursuit of money is deceitful, leaving many empty. I find true fulfillment in You and You alone!
My trust is in You, not in riches. Material possessions cannot satisfy my heart.
I embrace abundance and prosperity through Your promises. I steward Your blessings faithfully.
I break free from greed and materialism. I invest in eternal values and impact others for Your Kingdom.
I trust in Your faithfulness for provision in all seasons. I release anxiety and find confidence in Your provision.
My trust is in You, Father, not in riches. I honor You with my finances and serve You, not money.
You give me money with a mission and prosperity with a purpose. I use the overflow to advance Your Kingdom, and the more I give, the more You give to me!
I love You, Father, not money. Therefore, I will never fall into the money trap! Living this way, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
