Steven Garofalo
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Living life In A Material World (P2)
By Steven Garofalo, June 3, 2024 (Copyright 2024)
June 03, 2024

PART2: JESUS’ PARABLE OF THE SEED DECODED

Welcome back to Reason For Truth, This is continuation of the Parable of Seed. This week we will look at the parable as it was “DECODED” by Jesus Christ himself. To recap, all Christians share one thing in common. We are all one way when we get saved and change over time as we strive to live out our Christian faith. Speaking of American Christianity and for the West in particular, in general, the worries of this world and our current state of unsettled politics, economics and security are pulling down many Christians faith. For some, it’s material wealth beyond expectations that has distracted them from living out their “GOOD SOIL” with a solid faith and a dependence on the Lord. That has nothing to do with their being saved, but everything to do with state of their faith and how they live out that faith. Without further ado, let’s jump in with Jesus’s decoding of the Parable of the Seed in Luke 8:

JESUS’S PARABLE DE-CODED VERSE BY SEED VERSE (LUKE 8 PARABLE OF THE SEED BROKEN DOWN)

  1. SEED: “The seed is the word of God” (v.11).
  2. THE SHALLOW SOIL: The SEED that fell upon the PATH (Shallow soil or shallow person or person with shallow faith): “Are those who heard or hear God’s word; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved” (vs.12). Matthew tells us, “And as he sowed some seed fell along the path and the BIRDS came and devoured them”. The “BIRDS” represent “SATAN” or “EVIL”.  It’s easy to get excited about Jesus, Christianity and a church with great worship music and friends. But, it’s another to be filled with joy and make Jesus Christ the center of our faith as opposed to the external, human elements that result in the devil being able to distract and destroy that shallow faith. 
  3. THE ROCKS” OR THOSE WHO FAIL THE “TEST”: Those whose faith are like seed falling upon the rocks. “And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while and in a time of TESTING fall away.” MATTHEW 13:5 calls this “ROCKY GOUND” in that it’s shallow soil on top of solid rock. At some point, and even periodically, our faith is TESTED. How and if we finish the race reflects our perseverance or lack there of in our life. The bottom line is this: What determines success as a truly saved Christian is a successfully tested faith.
  4. THOSE WHO ALLOW WEALTH AND MATERIALISM TO CHOKE OUT THEIR FAITH. This faith is the one I want to focus on the most today. “And as for what fell among the thorns (and weeds), they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature” (vs.14). Matthew’s telling of the Parable Of The Seed in 13:25 is most likely speaking of “Darnell”which was a serious weed of that grew among the wheat in the time of Jesus. At that time in history there were no modern sorting machinery to enable Darnell seeds to be separated efficiently from seed wheat, so they grew together as similarity between Therese two plants is so great that in some regions, Darnell is referred to as “false wheat”.  Simply put, the :Darnell” blade resembles “wheat” but can only be distinguished from wheat when it becomes fully ripe. Biblical speaking, it’s like a FAITH that “LOOKS” authentic, but is not. This speaks to “CULTURAL CHRISTIANS” (those who are Christians in name only) as opposed to “AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANS” (those who authentically and truly place their daily and eternal life and trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation and daily living). This is the toughest one for American’s and many people around the world to accept because we live in an era of unprecedented wealth, comfort and political correctness. To make the declaration that cultural Christians cannot earn their way to heaven through good works is politically unpopular.  If honest, we must admit that most of us live a privileged life to one degree or another. This is true of the poor in the projects as compared to how the poor live in most other countries around the world. 
  5. THE THORNS: Many Americans have started off humble with a strong faith and have become wealthy over time. In a few cases, those in this category are able to manage their wealth biblically in light of God’s word. In most cases though, naturally, that wealth leads to a false “independence” in light of their daily need for God in their lives. As a result, the “THORNS” of this world are strangling them and their faith. This never is or was Inited to be the case to begin with. In other words, no Christian ever sets out to harm their faith, but a natural by-product of riches is the danger of allowing the “THORNS” of this world to begin to choke out their faith and walk with Jesus.
  6. FINALLY, THE GOOD SOIL: Lastly, Jesus says, “As for that in the good soil, they are those who HEARING-the word (God’s Word), HOLD it fast in an HONEST and GOOD HEART, and BEAR FRUIT with PATIENCE” (Luke 8:15). This verse is a sermon all its own. That being said, once saved-always saved. Again, in application for you and I today, all authentic Christians start off as “good soil” but if not careful, as a saved person in Christ, still allow a shift to the thorns of this world to choke out their commitment and vigor for Jesus Christ as they become more successful, more affluent and more independent in light of how the world defines success. This by its very nature leads to a departure at some level, away from the dependence on God, where they started.

THE LITMUS TEST:

What I find interesting about Luke’s account of this parable is found in Luke 8:16-18 in that the TRUTH is brought to light in one’s actions, or HOW they live out their faith. These are the words of Jesus through Luke 8:16-18.

16 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

Continuing with the theme of the word of God introduced in verses 4-15, Jesus compares His teachings to “LIGHT”. He said it (the light of God) should not be hidden, but displayed, so that people can benefit from the illumination. Eventually everything will be revealed by the light of the word of God (Hebrew 4:12, 13). And in the end, Jesus tells us to “take heed how you hear”. Jesus ends the parable with a warning to His audience to listen to and follow the word of God (James 1:22-25). In other words, turn their faith into ACTION-being “DOER”S of the word and not just hearers.

CONCLUSION: The parable teaches that there would be four different responses to the Word: FIRST: No response. SECOND: Emotional response. THIRD: Worldly response. This is the seed I want us to focus on today. Are you currently, or have you ever made a lot more money as compared to when you first trusted in the Lord as Lord and Savior-as the seed that bared 100-fold? Have you ever or are your current long allowing the “Cares and riches and pleasures of life stifle or “choke out” your spiritual fruit from maturing further in your faith? Remember, there are four kinds of seed, but for American’s especially, (vs. 14) this is an interesting seed category to look at for the authentic believer who, as a saved believer, has now made quite a bit more money, experienced a great more deal more pleasure, independence and who have been blessed by God materially. How has that effective your life as such?

CONTINUANING FROM ABOVE-FOURTHLY and LAST: What is a fruitful response. Speaking of American Christianity and for the West in general, we live in a time whereby these four categories mandate a fresh look. Not in terms of our salvation but how we are currently living out our faith in the modern world. Are we meeting with the Lord daily in prayer and Bible study? Are the worries of this world and our current state of unsettled politics, economics and security pulling down our faith, or strengthen ending it through a deeper dependence and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Or, for some of us, is material wealth beyond expectations distracting us from being “GOOD SOIL” with a solid faith and a dependence on the Lord? 

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His answer was short but the animals not having souls maybe up for debate.

We can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject though Housman wrote. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15 and 22) have the “BREATH OF LIFE” that is, both man and animals are living beings. Furthermore, the primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not.

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AN ETHICAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR ALL
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Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Today, I am going to show you through Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 that vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, will devour one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Let’s get started.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor is an interesting subject in light of wealth, corruption, and the human heart. This subject effects many things, including what makes a good economy. 

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verses eight to nine, Solomon says the following:

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
“8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

COMMENTARY: There are two things king Solomon is saying here within the theme of the vanity of WEALTH and HONOR. Wealth and honor are two different things, as one can have wealth with or without honor or honor with or without wealth. That being said, let’s look at verses 8 and 9 independently to see the simple message God provides us today through Solomon.

BREAK DOWN
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & WEALTH
 “8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." 

COMMENTARY: Verse 8 clearly illustrates that there is a corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the equally oppressive lower-level magistrates. This perhaps explains the st state of America and the world. With blackmail running. Rampant and the public sector unchecked, they have been robbing the everyday citizen of their hard earned money. As a result, the system became insulated and division between the haves and have nots became more defined. When the high level government officials rob and abuse those below them, someone above that person robs and abuses the higher level person himself.

In America, where we print money out of thin air for the world, in this short period of history, there is little need to plunder those under one authority because there is so much to steal that those in authority can simply pay them off or blackmail them; whichever is most convenient. Either way, Solomon makes abundantly clear that when there is nobody minding the ship, evil perpetuates to the point of overtaking the government in whole. As a result, we end up with a 2024 government, riddles with corruption, immorality, blackmail, lawlessness, and all other things evil due to the lack of God-ness which equates to “goodness”. 

Economically speaking, when this happens to a country, its own economy begins to decline into debt due to their insatiable desire and emotional need for more money and resources. When resources are stripped and money is squandered, the elite few are smart enough to collect those resources and money and we end up with a U.S. Stock Market where only 5% holds up to 80%  of the entire market wealth. 

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
The answer and solution is to keep to return to the system we created in the first place which is free market capitalism that allows those who desire to work hard, to have a fair chance at success, making money and turning a fair profit. This is called “honor for everyone”.

HONOR FOR EVERYONE
"9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

CONCLUSION:

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, devours one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Solomon (Qohelet) considered goverment to be frustrating becuase it was a necessary evil, something deply flawed but indespsnsible. On the one hand people sould "not be shocked" when they see OPPRESSION and injustice in a governmental province (v.8). After all, bloated government bureaucracy tends to frustrate justice (v.8b). On the other hand, government has it advantages (v.9). Many hold to the belief that this verse continues the negeative assessment of government. Others see this passage better understood more positively since it fits with Qohelet's normal pattern of "on the one hand, on the other.." way of teaching. 

Even a corrupt government is better than anarchy, which devastates a country, it's culture and in Solomon's time, an agrarian economy that would lead to starvation. Keeping to God's ways is the only solution to man's sinful nature; especially in governmental rule. In the end, a king who devotes himself to developing the resources of the land ushers in a systems that brings the opportunity for profit to all, not just the corrupt few.

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A Protestant & Catholic View Comparison

I grew up Catholic and now go to a Protestant or non-Catholic church in Charlotte, NC. Michael Houdmann, Founder and CEO of GotQuestions.Org writes that a major difference between the two boils down to believing in the Bible alone as God's word verses believing that God's word plus man's input as the divine inspired word of God.

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A major difference is the issue of sufficiency and authority of Scripture. While Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to mankind, it also speaks to everything we need to understand as necessary for our salvation from sin.

Protestants view the Bible as the STANDARD for Christian morality and ethics which governs our behavior. This is called sola scripture and is one of the five Solas in Christianity. (Solas meaning "alone" in Latin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes clear that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

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Catholics do not believe in sola scriptura hence do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They see both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition as equally authoritative and binding on the Christian. While not all Catholics hold to doctrines such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc., the Catholic doctrine hold to them even though they have little or no mention or basis in the Bible. In truth, these doctrines are based on Roman Catholic traditions based on the Catholic Church's insistence that the Bible and tradition are equal in authority. The problem with this is that it undermines the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many, if not all, of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

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