THRIVE THOUGHT
Seeds Among Thorns
One of the most sobering warnings Jesus ever gave wasn’t aimed at rebels or scoffers—it was aimed at busy, distracted believers prone to wandering toward created things rather than the Creator.
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” (Luke 8:14, NIV)
Luke 8:14 reminds us that the greatest threat to our spiritual life is often not persecution or false teaching but overcrowding. The soil is not hard. The seed is not dead. The problem is competition.
Riches and pleasures become “thorns” when they move from being a tool to becoming a trust. Over time, the pursuit, protection, or enjoyment of money competes with devotion to God. The result is not immediate spiritual death but being spiritually stuck—faith that never matures into full obedience and fruitfulness.
Jesus’ warning about overcrowding challenges me, because chasing our own kingdoms is everywhere around us. The enemy would love nothing more than for us to live convinced that a faith that isn’t growing is a faith that is just fine.
The good news is thorny soil can be restored, and God desires to restore it! Jesus tells this parable not to discourage believers, but to awaken them before “good” competition threatens to crowd out the very thing we were created to pursue and enjoy: Him.
Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.
Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.
Seeds Among Thorns
One of the most sobering warnings Jesus ever gave wasn’t aimed at rebels or scoffers—it was aimed at busy, distracted believers prone to wandering toward created things rather than the Creator.
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” (Luke 8:14, NIV)
Luke 8:14 reminds us that the greatest threat to our spiritual life is often not persecution or false teaching but overcrowding. The soil is not hard. The seed is not dead. The problem is competition.
Riches and pleasures become “thorns” when they move from being a tool to becoming a trust. Over time, the pursuit, protection, or enjoyment of money competes with devotion to God. The result is not immediate spiritual death but being spiritually stuck—faith that never matures into full obedience and fruitfulness.
Jesus’ warning about overcrowding challenges me, because chasing our own kingdoms is everywhere around us. The enemy would love nothing more than for us to live convinced that a faith that isn’t growing is a faith that is just fine.
The good news is thorny soil can be restored, and God desires to restore it! Jesus tells this parable not to discourage believers, but to awaken them before “good” competition threatens to crowd out the very thing we were created to pursue and enjoy: Him.
Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.
Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.
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