FRIDAY MESSAGE
PARABLE OF THE SOWER #11/13
DECEPTION OF RICHES

1. INTRODUCTION / SUMMARY OF THE PREVIOUS LESSON
To understand the parable of the sower, it is essential to understand the spiritual law of “sowing to reap” – Mark 4:26.

In the Kingdom of God, everything works through seeds: the Word is the seed and the heart is the soil – Mark 4:14-29. The devil tries to prevent the Word from taking root, and one of his strategies is the deception of riches.

2. DECEPTION OF RICHES
The deception of riches is the illusion that money:

– guarantees absolute security;

– defines identity and value;

– delivers satisfaction;

– gives total control over life.

These promises seem true, but they stifle the Word of God. The result is not immediate heresy, but sterility, where the person still hears and even agrees, but does not bear fruit.

Little by little, money takes the place of God, where the love of money replaces the love of God.

This deception stifles the word through:

– worries / anxiety: obsession with bills, status, etc. – Matthew 6:25-34

– riches: possessions that occupy the heart, require maintenance, and end up governing decisions;

– delights / ambitions: a lifestyle centered on pleasure, luxury, and visibility – 1 John 2:16

The problem is not money itself, but the love of money – 1 Timothy 6:10

3. EXAMPLES

a) Rich young man – Matthew 19:16-22
He kept the commandments, but could not give up his great wealth. b) Demas – 2 Timothy 4:10
He loved this present age and abandoned Paul.

c) Laodicea – Revelation 3:17
A rich church, but spiritually miserable and naked.

d) The rich fool – Luke 12:16-21
He amassed harvests on Earth instead of in heaven and died that night.

4. SIGNS THAT THE THORNS ARE GROWING

a) Time
There is no longer time to pray, read the Bible, go to church, but there is time for business, social media, and “opportunities.”

b) Decisions
The criterion ceases to be “how much does it edify spiritually?” and becomes “how much does it yield?”

c) Affections
Joy and sadness fluctuate according to bank balance, social media, and consumption patterns;

d) Commitment Promises made to God are postponed whenever the financial agenda gets tight;

e) Discipline Giving, serving, resting, everything is suffocated by material urgencies;

5. EXHORTATION For those who do not yet walk with God:

• Surrender your life to Jesus;

• Study the Bible;

• Come to Church;

• Begin to walk in God’s way.

For those who already walk with God:

• Do not stray from God’s path;

6. ROLE OF OLDER BELIEVERS God calls each believer to serve – Ephesians 4:11. The work includes:

– evangelizing;

– transforming converts into disciples;

– training servants;

– protecting new converts;

– accompanying them in courses, small groups, baptisms, and Bible teaching.