16 Bible Verses about Cares Of This World

a husbandman went out to sow his corn: and as he was sowing, some fell upon the beaten road, which was crush'd under foot, or devoured by the birds. some fell upon very stony ground, which no sooner sprung up, but it wither'd away, for want of moisture: some fell among thorns; but the thorns over-grew it, and starv'd it.read more.
but some of the corn fell into good soil, and grew up, yielding a hundred grains for one. then raising his voice he concluded with these words, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But his disciples having ask'd him the meaning of this parable; he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear. now the meaning of the parable is this: the seed sown signifies the word of God. by the beaten road is meant, they who only hear: the word, by the lurking wiles of the devil, being hinder'd from taking root in their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. by the stony ground is understood such persons as receive indeed the doctrines they hear, with joy: but for want of resolution, believe only occasionally, and desert when the trial comes. the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage. but by the good ground is meant such persons as have received the doctrine with simplicity and sincerity, abide by it, and practise it with perseverance.

Then he said to the whole company, if any one will be my follower, let him renounce himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Jesus answered him, whoever puts his hand to the plough, and looks back, is not fit to be employ'd in the kingdom of God.

Another time, as they were on a journey, Jesus enter'd into a village, where a woman, named Martha, entertain'd him at her house. now she had a sister, named Mary, who placed herself at the feet of Jesus, to attend to his discourse. but Martha perplex'd with the hurry of her affairs, came to him, and said, Lord, don't you observe my sister has left me to serve all alone: direct her therefore to give me some assistance.read more.
but Jesus replied to her, Martha, Martha, you trouble yourself about a world of cares: but the best and the most necessary concern is, what Mary has pitch'd upon, of which she shall never be deprived.

However, when a man has once lighted his lamp, he does not hide it in a by-place, or under a bushel; but sets it on a stand, that all who come in may have light. the eye is the light of the body: if therefore your eye be clear, every member of your body will have the benefit of the light: but if it be spoil'd, they must all rest in darkness. take care therefore, that the light which is in thee do not become darkness.read more.
for if thy whole body be enlightned, and no part dark, your whole conduct will be regulated, just as the light of a lamp directs all your motions.

Wherefore (said he to his disciples,) be not sollicitous for your life, what ye shall eat; nor for the body, what ye shall put on. the life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap: nor have cellar or barn: are not you of much greater value than the fowls?read more.
but which of you, with all his disquietude, can add one moment to the period of his life? if then you can't effect so small a matter, why are you disquieted about a much longer time? consider the lillys how they grow: they neither toil nor spin: and yet, I tell you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. now if God thus cloaths the flowers, which exist to-day in the field, and to-morrow are thrown into the oven: how much more will he cloath you, O distrustful men? therefore don't be concern'd about what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; but lay aside all your anxiety: for it is enough that the Gentiles are so concern'd about these things: as for you, your father is acquainted with all your wants. therefore do you rather seek the kingdom of God, and then all your necessities will be fully supply'd. fear not, ye little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to grant you the kingdom. sell your possessions and give alms. lay up for yourselves a stock not subject to decay, a treasure in the heavens that will never fail, where no thief can approach, nor moth can spoil. for where your treasure is, there likewise will your affections be.

and said, he that can't abandon his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, nay, even his own life, cannot be my disciple. and he that does not bear his cross, and tread in my steps, cannot be my disciple.

in like manner every one of you must count upon renouncing all that he has, otherwise he cannot be my disciple.

set a guard upon yourselves, that ye be not stupified by surfeiting and drunkenness, or by the disquietudes of this life, and so that day come upon you with a surprize. for like a snare, it shall surprize all the inhabitants of the earth.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to you, that you present your bodies a living victim, holy, acceptable unto God, as the service of a rational being. and be not conformed to the present age: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may perceive what God requires of you is good, and acceptable, and perfect.

wherefore come out from among them, be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

I don't imagine, my brethren, that I am arriv'd at the goal; but this I do, unmindful of what is pass'd, I stretch towards that which is in view, I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.

let the things above, and not such worldly matters be the object of your thoughts.

Wherefore, since we are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every incumbrance, and the sin which does so easily embarrass us, and let us pursue with constancy the course that is proposed to us:

pure and unadulterated religion, in the eye of God our father, consists in taking care of orphans and widows in their distress: and in keeping clear of the vices of the age.

Love not the world, nor let worldly things engage your affections. he that is worldly affected is a stranger to divine love. for what the world is so full of, sensuality, avarice, and pride, is not deriv'd from the creator, but is the offspring of a vicious world. and the world is passing away, with all its vices: but he that obeys the divine will, shall enjoy a life of immortality.