It's Not About The Money, Money, Money

18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. -Mark 4:18-19

Last week I highlighted this passage and talked about how scripture should be our highest authority.  It should be the first thing we go to when trying to discern God’s will for our lives.

What are some things that get in our way from allowing scripture to take root.  Our passage today mentions some things such as the worries of life, the desire for other things, and what I want to highlight today is, “the deceitfulness of wealth”.

How can wealth be deceptive.  It gives us a false sense of security.  If we have wealth we tend to think we can control whatever comes our way.  

Scripture warns against this ideology. Our passage today says that if we are deceived by our wealth, scripture will be unfruitful in our lives.

Having wealth is not a sin.  Placing our security in wealth rather than God, is.  Don’t let anything hinder your walk with God.  Put your trust in him and not your bank account.  Look for peace in the pages of the bible rather than the bottom line of your retirement plan.  And instead of following the money trail, let the word of God guide you.

Read today entire passage here. Mark 4:15-20

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (MSG)

When you were a child, did you ever face down authority with the words, "You're not my mother, I don't have to do what you say."?  I can recall taking that sassy and disrespectful tone with a neighbor one day and she responded, "No I am not your mother.  But I know who she is and she will hear about this!"  Ouch...I was busted big time.

Paul looked upon the Corinthians as his children, as founder of the church he had fatherly affection for them.  Paul pleaded with the defiant Corinthians to stop their immoral behavior.  He had been admonishing them to hang out with fellow believers who walked the walk.  This portion of 1 Corinthians is once again admonishing the people to remove the unrepentant from their fellowship.  He cautioned his children not to form binding relationships with unbelievers.

Paul looked upon the Corinthians somewhat like my neighbor looked upon me in my youth.  He saw them as children (in the faith) who needed guidance and correction.  They reacted to Paul in a manner similar to me with a  "Your not the boss of me," attitude. I paid the consequences for my mistaken manners that day.  Let's pray that we all grow up in the faith, that we all desire to do the right thing and we learn from our mistakes and change accordingly.  After all, God is the boss of all of us.

Read the scripture for today here, Biblegateway.