Mark 4 recorded the parable of the sower. In verses 13-20 Jesus explained it to His disciples. The seed sown was the word of God. Verse 19 aptly describes for us the thorns that will choke out our fruit.

It says, “And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

Here is God’s way with the ‘cares’ in our lives. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I think of Paul when he cast off the viper. Acts 28:3-5. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” What cares or burdens do you need to cast off?

What riches are you pursuing that are choking out your fruit? Anything that this world has to offer is fruitless., because true riches are spiritual. Haggai 1:6 says that they earned money and put it in bags with holes.