Worry, wealth and want

One of my favorite book titles is Your God Is Too Small, by J. B. Phillips. The title captures Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the seeds. One group of people Jesus described is, “Like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 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 4:17,18) The people Jesus described hear the same word as others, but process what they hear in the arena of worry, wealth and want.

My working definition of worry is, “Helping God remember things I believe He forgot.” In contrast to worry, the Psalmist wrote this assurance, “For you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” (Psalm 97:9) It is impossible to worship the “Most High,” while worrying. One may sing worship lyrics while stewing and fretting, but not worship. Worship brings “Most High” into startling, satisfying focus.

The “deceitfulness of wealth” is that if we have riches we have life. The old axiom truthfully says, “Everything I purchase eventually owns part of me.” For the past eighteen months we have owned two houses. The one we live in is a needed shelter and gathering place for family and friends. The other demands our attention and gives little in return. Some have said, “It must be great to own a house like this!” Not! Wealth, or ownership of too much, is deceitful, an encumbrance.

Do you know people who have an inordinate “desire for other things?” The need to have is insatiable. The thirst for more cannot be quenched unless the seed of Jesus’ message enters, germinates, takes root and bears fruit. The degree to which Jesus’ parable has been applied in our lives, is the measure of tranquility and productivity we enjoy.