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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Command people who are rich in this world not to be proud. Tell them not to put their hope in riches. Wealth is so uncertain. Command those who are rich to put their hope in God. He richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

People who want to get rich are tempted. They fall into a trap. They are tripped up by wanting many foolish and harmful things. Those who live like that are dragged down by what they do. They are destroyed and die.Love for money causes all kinds of evil. Some people want to get rich. They have wandered away from the faith. They have wounded themselves with many sorrows.

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear the message. But as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures. So they do not reach full growth.

Demas has deserted me. He has gone to Thessalonica. He left me because he loved this world. Crescens has gone to Galatia. Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

Anyone who loves money never has enough. Anyone who loves wealth is never satisfied with what they get. That doesn’t have any meaning either.As more and more goods are made, more and more people use them up. So how can those goods benefit their owners? All they can do is look at them with desire.

Then he said to them,“ Watch out! Be on your guard against wanting to have more and more things. Life is not made up of how much a person has.”

And what is seed scattered among thorns like? The people hear the message.But then the worries of this life come to them. Wealth comes with its false promises. The people also long for other things. All of these are the kinds of things that crowd out the message. They keep it from producing fruit.

Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants.

“ Just look at this fellow! He didn’t depend on God for his safety. He put his trust in all his wealth. He grew strong by destroying others!”

“ No one can serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one of them and love the other. Or you will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can’t serve God and money at the same time.“ I tell you, do not worry. Don’t worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don’t worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than eating? Aren’t there more important things for the body than clothes?

Do not love the world or anything in it. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.Here is what people who belong to this world do. They try to satisfy what their sinful desires want to do. They long for what their sinful eyes look at. They take pride in what they have and what they do. All of this comes from the world. None of it comes from the Father.

“ That is how it will be for whoever stores things away for themselves but is not rich in the sight of God.”

Here is what the Lord is telling the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He says,“ Your hearts are as hard as a field that has not been plowed. So change your ways and produce good crops. Do not plant seeds among thorns.

A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold some land.He kept part of the money for himself. Sapphira knew he had kept it. He brought the rest of it and put it down at the apostles’ feet.Then Peter said,“ Ananias, why did you let Satan fill your heart? He made you lie to the Holy Spirit. You have kept some of the money you received for the land.Didn’t the land belong to you before it was sold? After it was sold, you could have used the money as you wished. What made you think of doing such a thing? You haven’t lied just to people. You’ve also lied to God.”When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. All who heard what had happened were filled with fear.Some young men came and wrapped up his body. They carried him out and buried him.About three hours later, the wife of Ananias came in. She didn’t know what had happened.Peter asked her,“ Tell me. Is this the price you and Ananias sold the land for?”“ Yes,” she said.“ That’s the price.”Peter asked her,“ How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! You can hear the steps of the men who buried your husband. They are at the door. They will carry you out also.”At that moment she fell down at Peter’s feet and died. Then the young men came in. They saw that Sapphira was dead. So they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.The whole church and all who heard about these things were filled with fear.

Jesus replied,“ A certain man was preparing a great banquet. He invited many guests.Then the day of the banquet arrived. He sent his servant to those who had been invited. The servant told them,‘ Come. Everything is ready now.’“ But they all had the same idea. They began to make excuses. The first one said,‘ I have just bought a field. I have to go and see it. Please excuse me.’“ Another said,‘ I have just bought five pairs of oxen. I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’“ Still another said,‘ I just got married, so I can’t come.’“ The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry. He ordered his servant,‘ Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the town. Bring in those who are poor. Also bring those who can’t see or walk.’“‘ Sir,’ the servant said,‘ what you ordered has been done. But there is still room.’“ Then the master told his servant,‘ Go out to the roads. Go out to the country lanes. Make the people come in. I want my house to be full.I tell you, not one of those people who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”

Don’t trust in money you have taken from others. Don’t put false hope in things you have stolen. Even if your riches grow, don’t put your trust in them.

They stare at women who are not their wives. They want to sleep with them. They never stop sinning. They trap those who are not firm in their faith. They have mastered the art of getting what they want. God has placed them under his judgment.They have left God’s way. They have wandered off. They follow the way of Balaam, son of Beor. He loved to get paid for doing his evil work.

A man lived all by himself. He didn’t have any sons or brothers. His hard work never ended. But he wasn’t happy with what he had.“ Who am I working so hard for?” he asked.“ Why don’t I get the things I enjoy?” That doesn’t have any meaning either. In fact, it’s a very bad deal!

Jesus looked at him. Then he said,“ How hard it is for rich people to enter God’s kingdom!Is it hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? It is even harder for someone who is rich to enter God’s kingdom!”

When you take even a quick look at riches, they are gone. They grow wings and fly away into the sky like an eagle.

Those who trust in their riches will fall. But those who do right will be as healthy as a green leaf.

Don’t spend time thinking about what you will eat or drink. Don’t worry about it.People who are ungodly run after all those things. Your Father knows that you need them.

How terrible it will be for them! They have followed the way of Cain. They have rushed into the same mistake Balaam made. They did it because they loved money. They are like Korah. He turned against his leaders. These people will certainly be destroyed, just as Korah was.These ungodly people are like stains at the meals you share. They have no shame. They are shepherds who feed only themselves. They are like clouds without rain. They are blown along by the wind. They are like trees in the fall. Since they have no fruit, they are pulled out of the ground. So they die twice.

Achan replied,“ It’s true! I’ve sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. Here is what I’ve done.I saw a beautiful robe from Babylonia among the things we had taken. I saw five pounds of silver. And I saw a gold bar that weighed 20 ounces. I wanted them, so I took them. I hid them in the ground inside my tent. The silver is on the bottom.”

Simon watched as the apostles placed their hands on them. He saw that the Spirit was given to them. So he offered money to Peter and John.

Lot looked around. He saw that the whole Jordan River valley toward the town of Zoar had plenty of water. It was like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.So Lot chose the whole Jordan River valley for himself. Then he started out toward the east. The two men separated.Abram lived in the land of Canaan. Lot lived among the cities of the Jordan River valley. He set up his tents near Sodom.The people of Sodom were evil. They were sinning greatly against the Lord.

“ Be careful. If you aren’t, your hearts will be loaded down with wasteful living, drunkenness and the worries of life. Then the day the Son of Man returns will close on you like a trap. It will happen suddenly.

Jesus looked around. He said to his disciples,“ How hard it is for rich people to enter God’s kingdom!”The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again,“ Children, how hard it is to enter God’s kingdom!Is it hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? It is even harder for someone who is rich to enter God’s kingdom!”

Just then, a man came up to Jesus. He asked,“ Teacher, what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?”“ Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied.“ There is only one who is good. If you want to enter the kingdom, obey the commandments.”“ Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus said,“‘ Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not be a false witness.Honor your father and mother.’( Exodus 20:12–16; Deuteronomy 5:16–20) And‘ love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ”( Leviticus 19:18)“ I have obeyed all those commandments,” the young man said.“ What else do I need to do?”Jesus answered,“ If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”When the young man heard this, he went away sad. He was very rich.Then Jesus said to his disciples,“ What I’m about to tell you is true. It is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.Again I tell you, it is hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But it is even harder for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Gehazi was the servant of Elisha, the man of God. Gehazi said to himself,“ My master was too easy on Naaman from Aram. He should have accepted the gift Naaman brought. I’m going to run after him. I’m going to get something from him. And that’s just as sure as the Lord is alive.”Gehazi hurried after Naaman. Naaman saw him running toward him. So he got down from the chariot to greet him.“ Is everything all right?” he asked.“ Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered.“ My master sent me to say,‘ Two young men from the group of the prophets have just come to me. They’ve come from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothes.’ ”“ I wish you would take twice as much silver,” said Naaman. He begged Gehazi to accept it. Then Naaman tied up 150 pounds of silver in two bags. He also gave Gehazi two sets of clothes. He gave all of it to two of his own servants. They carried it ahead of Gehazi.Gehazi came to the hill where Elisha lived. Then the servants handed the things over to Gehazi. He put them away in Elisha’s house. He sent the men away, and they left.Then he went back inside the house. He stood in front of his master Elisha.“ Gehazi, where have you been?” Elisha asked.“ I didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.But Elisha said to him,“ Didn’t my spirit go with you? I know that the man got down from his chariot to greet you. Is this the time for you to accept money or clothes? Is it the time to take olive groves, vineyards, flocks or herds? Is it the time to accept male and female slaves?You and your children after you will have Naaman’s skin disease forever.” Then Gehazi left Elisha. And he had Naaman’s skin disease. His skin had become as white as snow.

I’ve seen something very evil on earth. It’s when wealth is stored up and then brings harm to its owners.It’s also when wealth is lost because of an unwise business deal. Then there won’t be anything left for the owners’ children.