The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.

撒在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，后来有世上的思虑、钱财的迷惑把道挤住了，不能结实。

撒在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，后来有世上的忧虑、钱财的迷惑把道挤住了，结不出果实。

撒在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，后来有世上的忧虑、钱财的迷惑把道挤住了，结不出果实。

种子落在荆棘丛中，是指人虽然听过道，但生活的忧虑和钱财的迷惑把道挤住了，以致不能结出果实。

那撒在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，有今世的忧虑和财富的迷惑把道挤住，结不出果实来。

那被撒进种子的‘荆棘丛’是这样的人：他听了这话语，但今世的忧虑和财富的迷惑把话语挤住了，他就成了不结果实的。

撒在荊棘裏的，就是人聽了道，後來有世上的思慮、錢財的迷惑把道擠住了，不能結實。

撒在荊棘裏的，就是人聽了道，後來有世上的憂慮、錢財的迷惑把道擠住了，結不出果實。

撒在荊棘裏的，就是人聽了道，後來有世上的憂慮、錢財的迷惑把道擠住了，結不出果實。

種子落在荊棘叢中，是指人雖然聽過道，但生活的憂慮和錢財的迷惑把道擠住了，以致不能結出果實；

那撒在荊棘裡的，就是人聽了道，有今世的憂慮和財富的迷惑把道擠住，結不出果實來。

那撒到荊棘裏的，是人聽了道，而今世的掛慮和財富的娛樂把道悶煞了，他便不能結實。

那被撒進種子的『荊棘叢』是這樣的人：他聽了這話語，但今世的憂慮和財富的迷惑把話語擠住了，他就成了不結果實的。

播於棘中者、乃人聽道、而世之慮、財之惑、蔽其道而不實、

播於棘中者、猶人聽道、此世之憧擾、貨財之迷惑、蔽其道而不實、

播於荊棘中者、指人聽道、而此世之思慮、及貨財之迷惑、蔽其道則不結實、

其播於棘中者、聞道之後、世慮縈懷、利慾熏心、遂壅塞其道、乃至無實。

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

The seed that fell among the thorns is like others who hear the message. But then the worries of this life and the false promises of wealth crowd it out. They keep the message from producing fruit.

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Now the one sown among the thorns— this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Now the one sown among the thorns— this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

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.

The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth choke the word, so it produces nothing.

What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.

Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth— except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

Then he said,“ Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word,but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.

“ Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”

“ No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.“ That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life— whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

“ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem:“ Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.Then Peter said,“ Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.Peter asked her,“ Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”“ Yes,” she replied,“ that was the price.”And Peter said,“ How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

Jesus replied with this story:“ A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests,‘ Come, the banquet is ready.’But they all began making excuses. One said,‘ I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’Another said,‘ I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’Another said,‘ I just got married, so I can’t come.’“ The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said,‘ Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’After the servant had done this, he reported,‘ There is still room for more.’So his master said,‘ Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”

Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.

They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse.They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself,“ Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

When Jesus saw this, he said,“ How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.

“ And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.

What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.

Achan replied,“ It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel.Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power.

Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt.( This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.

“ Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,“ How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”This amazed them. But Jesus said again,“ Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Someone came to Jesus with this question:“ Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”“ Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied.“ There is only One who is good. But to answer your question— if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”“ Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied:“‘ You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”“ I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied.“ What else must I do?”Jesus told him,“ If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.Then Jesus said to his disciples,“ I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.I’ll say it again— it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself,“ My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him.“ Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.“ Yes,” Gehazi said,“ but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”“ By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi.But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him,“ Where have you been, Gehazi?”“ I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.But Elisha asked him,“ Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.

There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children.