Weeds

 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.
Matthew 13:22 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.13.22.ESV

In my last writing, I suggested that the 'church in hard places' trend is unhelpful. This verse suggests it's inaccurate too. Hard places are places of persecution, not just of economic deprivation.

This verse suggests almost the opposite to the 'church in hard places' philosophy. A field full of weeds is a hard place for a farmer, and that's how Jesus describes the deceitfulness of riches. Riches themselves may not be necessarily wrong, but they tend to deceive us that they rather than God will provide our daily bread.

A poor neighbourhood could have a thriving church. A rich neighbourhood could be spiritually barren, or weedy at the very least. In another parable, Jesus suggests this world as a whole is pretty weedy.

In the end, Jesus says, God will separate the 'weeds' who reject Him from the 'wheat' who accept Him. We mustn't let this woeful world distract us from the need to bear fruit for God. Our whole 'raison d'etre' is to be fruitful for the Lord.

'O Lord, forbid that we should even subconsciously imply that anywhere is too hard for You, but faithfully proclaim You to all and sundry. In Christ's name, amen'

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