Of all the things that distract us from Christian service, the simple “cares of this life” typically cause us the greatest trouble. In two different places, Jesus recognized the struggle we would have.

In the Parable of the Sower Jesus said there would be seed sown which would fall among thorns. That seed symbolizes those who hear the word and go out, but are choked with “cares, riches and pleasures of life” and as a result bring no fruit to maturity (Luke 8:14). We often focus solely on the “riches and pleasures of this life” aspect of the passage, but fail to recognize that the simple “cares of this life” play a significant role as well in keeping us from being as fruitful as we could be.

In another passage, Jesus warned the disciples to take heed. In light of His inevitable return, Jesus reminded the disciples about being weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and “cares of this life” to the point that the Day of the Lord would come upon them unexpectedly (Luke 21:34). The Lord warns that we watch and pray always that we are counted worthy to escape these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). We might not have issues with carousing or drunkenness, but we all have cares in this life. Are those cares causing us to take our eyes off of that which is truly important. The reality is that the Day of the Lord will come upon the world as a snare, but it ought not be a snare for Christians who are taking heed to the type of life they are living.

The crux of both of these passages is that the “cares of this life” can cripple our faith to the point that we remain immature, become unfruitful and be counted unworthy. Let us therefore “take heed” and evaluate our priorities carefully.