While explaining the meaning of the Parable of the Sower, Jesus spoke of the seeds that fell among the thorns: “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” (Matt. 13:22).

Riches can be deceitful if we are willing to be deceived. It all depends on our attitude. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:9-10, emphasis mine - HR). What are some ways that riches can deceive us?

Riches can take the place of God in your heart. In the parable, the seed couldn’t grow to maturity and be fruitful because the thorns choked it out. The nutrients the seed needed from the soil were taken away by the thorns. The same is true with the Word of God in man’s heart. The cares of the world and the concern for wealth can take out time and mental resources away from the Word of God.

Riches can make you indifferent to spiritual matters. With an unhealthy emphasis on obtaining or maintaining wealth, one can become worldly minded. Suddenly things like the church and one’s spiritual life no longer matter. These things are set aside while one’ pursues money. Many professed Christians have obviously made their job their top priority – even over their family, not to mention the Lord.

Riches can give you a distorted view of life. One time Jesus told His disciples, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). Unfortunately, there are many people who have been deceived into believing they would be happy if they could just have more things. Life is not about accumulating things, it is about seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). We need to be laying up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matt. 6:19-20).

Riches can give you a false sense of security. The Lord went on to give a parable about a rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). In this parable, the farmer mistook his physical life for his soul. He had enough wealth to be secure in this life for many years, but he had not prepared his soul for eternity.

Those who are wealthy sometimes fail to see their need for God. Their riches have deceived them into thinking they don’t need anyone – including God. However, God is not impressed by their fortunes. No one is going to buy their way into Heaven, and no one is guaranteed many years.

Riches can give you a false sense of importance. The world determines a person’s importance by how much money they are worth. Because of this treatment, a wealthy person can become puffed up and think they are something when, in reality, they are not. God shows no partiality. He demands the same thing from each one of us (Acts 10:34-35).

There is nothing sinful about riches themselves, and there is nothing wrong with having great wealth. The problem lies in our attitude. Don’t be deceived by riches.