What Kind of Soil Are You Cultivating?

“He who has ears, let him hear.” - Matthew 13:9 Those were Jesus’ closing words after telling the Parable of the Sower, a story that invites us to listen carefully, not just with our ears, but with our hearts. That story can reveal a lot about the heart behind our finances, especially the warning about “the deceitfulness of riches.” The Story Behind the Soil

The Parable appears in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. It begins with a farmer scattering seed, which falls on four types of soil. Jesus later explains that the seed is the Word of God, and the soils represent different heart conditions. Some hearts are hard, others shallow. Some are fertile and ready, but one soil in particular should draw our attention: where the seed fell among thorns.

In Matthew 13:22, Jesus says, “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.” What does He mean? First, Jesus points to "the cares of the world", the daily anxieties and distractions that can crowd out our trust in God. Then, He adds “the deceitfulness of riches.” It’s not wealth itself that’s the issue. It’s the lie wealth tells: that more money will bring more peace, that possessions equal security, and that success means significance. The Bible consistently warns us about that lie. Proverbs 11:28 says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” And Paul reminds Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.” The Illusion of Control

Wealth deceives us by offering the illusion of control and independence. It tempts us to believe we’re self-sufficient. And when we buy that lie, we slowly stop depending on God. Like thorns in a garden, worldly cares and the lure of wealth take root in our hearts, slowly crowding out our affection for God. The space once reserved for trust and obedience becomes overrun with distraction and self-reliance.

It’s like C.S. Lewis put it: “Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is 'finding his place in it,' while really it is finding its place in him.”

You might be saving diligently, investing wisely, and even giving regularly. But if you’re trusting in your portfolio more than God’s promises or if your finances have become a source of anxiety, then it may be time to do a heart check. What kind of soil are you cultivating?

When unexpected expenses hit, what comes first, prayer or panic? When you think about the future, is your hope grounded in your retirement account or in the One who holds all things together?

Jesus said the seed among thorns becomes “unfruitful.” The Word doesn’t lose its power, but when wealth and worry take over our hearts, we stop responding to it. Outwardly, we may look faithful, but inwardly, our love for Him is being choked out.  Cultivating Good Soil

So, how do we respond?

Jesus points to the solution just a few verses later. In Matthew 13:23, He says the good soil is the one who “hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields.” But receiving God’s Word deeply isn’t a one-time event—it’s a lifelong process of cultivating the soil of our hearts. It means creating space where God’s truth can take root, thrive, and grow, without being overtaken by competing desires. That’s how fruitfulness begins and continues.

Here are three simple practices to help you cultivate “good soil” in your finances:

1. Prioritize your giving. Start with generosity, not as an afterthought, but as an act of worship. Giving reminds us that money is not our master and that we trust God to provide for us. 2. Check your emotional temperature. If your peace rises and falls with your financial circumstances, that’s a signal to lean into God’s Word more than your wallet. 3. Rethink your financial goals. Ask yourself: What am I building? And why? Is your financial plan aligned with Kingdom purposes, or is it just chasing comfort or status? As Dallas Willard said, “The main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become.” That includes how you handle money. Generosity, peace, and contentment are fruits of a life rooted in Christ, not one choked out by wealth.

Remember that the condition of your heart matters more than the condition of your accounts. If you want to be fruitful in your finances and faithful in your walk with God, start by asking: What am I trusting in? Let the answer lead you back to Christ, because only in Him will your life bear lasting fruit.