Do Our Actions Say Worldly Things are Our Priority and We're Ok with Becoming Ineffective in Our Faith

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. Matthew 13:22

 So what do we Christians do with our faith when we get caught up in climbing the social ladder, trying to attain wealth, status, and possessions? Do our actions say worldly things are our priority and we're OK with becoming ineffective in our faith? Are we settling for minimal effort and not striving to do what Jesus wants of us?

Jesus goes on to say, "But he who received seed on good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matthew 13:23 

So, are we willing to cultivate our faith in Jesus so that it takes root and can withstand the troubles and temptations of the world, making us examples of how Jesus Christ has positively influenced our lives?

Are You Saying to Jesus, that You Are Only There for the Good Times, but When Things Get Rough, You're Going to Hit the Road?

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the world, immediately he stumbles."  Matthew 13:18-21

This passage really made me think when my minister discussed it at church recently. The underlined part is what really caught my attention. This is saying that there's people out there who joyfully embrace a relationship with Christ, but don't continue to deepen that relationship. As soon as these people meet with trouble or are persecuted for their faith, their faith in Jesus goes by the wayside. 

So are you saying to Jesus, that you are only there for the good times, but when things get rough, you're going to hit the road? Fortunately for us, Jesus didn't give up on us when things got rough! He knew in advance that He would be betrayed, beat, spit upon, mocked, crucified and buried. He kept His sights on the fact that His going through all of this for us. He would rise again on Easter and pay the price for our sinful human nature, so that we could some day join Him in heaven! Now, that's definitely worth our sticking around and not going by the wayside when the rough times come!

What Does Jesus Think When We Get Caught Up in Wanting Things of the World?

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2: 15

 What does Jesus think when we get caught up in wanting things of the world? It's difficult, I admit. There are times I'll see someone in a stunning outfit and want it. There are times that I wish that I could wear my hair like someone I'd seen, but aren't these all things of the world?

You're absolutely right, they are! I can't tell you that I have all the answers, but I know that Christ puts this in my heart during times when I'm admiring these things. That means that He loves me enough to remind me, so that I can back up and refocus my priorities! What about you? I'm not figuring that Christ only puts this reminder in my heart when I'm admiring the worldly things of others. Do you listen and allow Christ to refocus your priorities or do you ignore that gentle tugging on your heart?

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Hebrew 13:5

Do We Doubt Jesus Will be with Us in Times of Poor Health and What Does Our Doubting Say to Him?

But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power upon earth to give sins, (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. Luke 5:24-25
 
Do we Doubt Jesus will be with us in times of poor health and what does our doubting say to Him? In this instance, Jesus healed the handicapped man of palsy. I wish I could say that just because you believe in Christ as your Savior, all your physical illnesses and infirmities would be healed, but that's not necessarily the case. We are to...

BE careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7

When You Turn Your Back on the Less Fortunate, Are You Telling Christ that He Gave His Life for the Wrong People?

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat with Publicans and sinners, they said unto His disciples, How is it that He eateth and drinketh with Publicans and sinners? Mark 2:16

 When you turn your back on the less fortunate, are you telling Christ that He gave His life for the wrong people? I remember years ago, hearing the Urban Legend about a minister who dressed as a homeless person and attended church only to find that few members, if any, were considerate and welcoming of that person who looked dirty, scraggly and poor. Several ministers have tried it since, but sadly the results are similar. What are we saying to Christ when we turn our backs on these people when encounter them or there's a worthy cause to benefit them? Are we self-righteous when they tear down the Homeless Villages in our country?

When Jesus heard it, He saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  Mark 2:17