# “Beware of the cares of this world” by J.C. Ryle

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2015/03/10/beware-of-the-cares-of-this-world-by-j-c-ryle/
- Published: 2015-03-10T13:00:15-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“The third caution contained in the parable of the sower is to beware of the cares
of this world. Our Lord tells us that the hearts of many hearers of the word are
like thorny ground. The seed of the word, when sown upon them, is choked by the 
multitude of other things, by which their affections are occupied.

They have no objection to the doctrines and requirements of the Gospel. They even
wish to believe and obey them. But they allow the things of earth to get such hold
upon their minds, that they leave no room for the word of God to do its work.

And hence it follows that however many sermons they hear, they seem nothing bettered
by them. A weekly process of truth-stifling goes on within. They bring no fruit 
to perfection.

The things of this life form one of the greatest dangers which beset a Christian’s
path. The money, the pleasures, the daily business of the world, are so many traps
to catch souls.

Thousands of things, which in themselves are innocent, become, when followed to 
excess, little better than soul-poisons, and helps to hell. Open sin is not the 
only thing that ruins souls.

In the midst of our families, and in the pursuit of our lawful callings, we have
need to be on our guard. Except we watch and pray, these temporal things may rob
us of heaven, and smother every sermon we hear. We may live and die thorny-ground
hearers.”

–J.C. Ryle, [_Expository Thoughts on Luke_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0851514979?tag=toletaupanre-20)(
vol. 1; New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1879), 1: 252–253. Ryle is commenting
on Luke 8:4-15.

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