(Homily for July 27, 2018).
_“As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” *(Matthew 13:22)*_
Is there anything wrong with desiring the “good life” despite being a Christian? Is it a sin to be rich, wealthy and lacking nothing? After all, aren’t there so many things money can do in terms of advancing the kingdom of God? If as a Christian, I become one of the world’s richest men, wouldn’t I build churches, build hostels in seminaries and help the poor?
Dear friends, the above questions are not really for us to answer, they actually represent the thoughts and reactions of persons within the category Jesus described as seeds sown among thorns. If you have ever found yourself asking these questions and wondering where to draw the line between making riches or making God a priority in your life, then know that you are a seed among thorns. Do not feel ashamed because you are not alone.
A society like ours where leadership has woefully; where its government has failed to provide certain basics, being a Christian is like being a seed growing among thorns. When the man of God who ordinarily should direct the minds of people to repent of their sins now turns around to become the people’s economic messiah, then we should know that there is a problem.
It has even gotten to a point that the men of God in this country have formed such an alliance with politicians that we no longer know who is who. Men of God are now in government to do what the government has failed to do. Imagine Jesus Christ contesting for the office of the Governor in Nazareth!!! Or just imagine Peter and the twelve Apostles jostling for seats in the Roman House of Assembly!
What should even inform a pastor’s decision to run for the presidency if not for the fact thorns have so choked the word that he no longer realizes he belongs to a higher government above? By the way, haven’t we had pastors in power in this country recently? What impact have these men of God made?
You see, Jesus was right! The cares of the world and the lust for riches choke the word in us. This is our problem. No one can serve two masters; it is the voice of the master we respect more that we obey. On our lips, God seems to be our master but by our actions, money is our master. Religion has become just an outer garment we wear. Churches are experiencing massive expansions, people’s moral life are experiencing massive depreciations. We call ourselves Christians yet we steal money, we partake in very shady deals, we enrich corruption. The thorns are really having a better part.
To answer the question we began with, yes, there is something wrong with a Christian desiring the “good life” because in all honesty, that so-called “good life” does not really include God or rather, it doesn’t make God a priority, it tries to create a paradise here on earth and most often, achieving this “good life” involves bowing down to satan (dubious acts; stealing, lying, cheating, defrauding, wickedness, etc.)
It is true that with the power of money, churches can be built and so on, but money can never be more powerful than God who is Himself the master builder of His church. Let us stop “raising money” in God’s house and start “raising souls” instead. Let us seek first God’s kingdom and allow God to do the rest.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, help me re-order my priorities so that your word may truly bear fruits in my life. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 16th week in ordinary time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 3:14-17, Canticle Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23).*
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