Lure of Wealth
13 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? 14 The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. 15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. 16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. 20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Mark 4:13-20 NLT
These verses contain the explanation that Jesus provides His disciples concerning the Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed. The seed is the Word of God. In the fourth example God lets us know that when the Word actually reaches good soil, the fruit will be abundant. In the first 3 examples Jesus provides reasons for the Word of God not producing fruit in a person's life.
Satan immediately takes it away
Problems or persecution
Worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things
In the first example people hear God's Word but never understand it. In the second and third examples people her God's Word, accept it, but never produce fruit because of things that distract them from the Word of God. The lure of wealth can be one of them. We must guard against allowing our jobs or businesses distract us from Jesus.
Money is important, but not more important than God's Word or God Himself. We shouldn't let trials, persecution, worry, wealth, or anything else drive us away from God; instead they should drive us to Him. "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety" (Psalm 18:2 NLT).