What kind of person am I ?

Matt 13:18-23 What kind of person am I ?
In today's scripture, Jesus tells about the parable of the sower. The parable says, "There are four kinds of people when they listen to the word of God and when they believe in God. Let's think and check 'what kind of person I am'. And let's be the persons who produce much more crop and receive God's love and God's blessing much more.
1. Person like the seed sown along the path.
Think the seed fell along the path, so the birds came and ate it up. It means the person who hears the message but does not understand nor receive it because of his hardened heart.
We can often see this kind of persons. When we say to them, "Believe in Jesus." Then they say, "You believe in Jesus. But I believe in my fist." But think their fist is not stronger than hammer. How pitiful the persons they are if they believe in their weak fist.
And when we say, "Believe in Jesus and be saved." (In Korean language 'be saved' means 'receive nine pennies') they answer, "Oh I have 100 dollar in my pocket. I don't need nine pennies."
And when we say, "Believe in Jesus and receive the blessing." (In Korean language 'blessing' is 'Chookbok') they answer, "Oh I have a lot of Hanbok and Yangbok. I don't need Chookbok." (Hanbok means Korean-styled clothes and Yangbok means western-styled clothes)
When I was a cell leader of the youth mission of Yoido Full Gospel Church. I went into a clothing store near my house. The owner welcomed me. But when I gave her the Full Gospel leaflet and said, "Believe in Jesus." The lady tore the leaflet immediately before me and said, "Go away ! I will never believe in Jesus."
I was really surprised and humiliated by her action. And about few months later I was surprised again because I met her in my mother's cell meeting. I greeted her with awkwardness but with joy.
Brothers and sisters, your family or your friend or your neighbour is maybe like her. But don't give up evangelizing them. Bible says, 'Preach the Word ; be prepared in season and out of season." (2 Tim 4:2) Someday they will believe in Jesus. And the God will reward us.
2. Person like the seed sown on rocky places.
Think the seed fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly. But when the sun came up, the plant were scorched and they withered because they had no root. It means the person who hears the word and at once receives with joy, but lasts only a short time. When troubles or persecution comes, he quickly falls away.
It is very hard to distinguish people's faith at first glance. Especially if the situation is good, it is harder to distinguish their faith. But if the situation is bad and troubles happen to them, their faith appears. At that time the persons like the seeds sown on rocky places fall away. And their love and hope and loyalty cool off. And they grumble against God and others. Regrettably I often see this kind of persons around us. But I pray that your faith will be better even in the bad situation, even in the troubles, and even in the persecution.
3. Person like the seed sown among thorns.
Think the seed fell among thorns, so it was chocked by the thorns. It means the person who hears the word but bears no fruit because of the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth.
When I was In Korea, I had opportunity to evangelize a taxi driver. I asked him to believe in Jesus. Then he said, "May I ask you a question ?" "Sure." I answered and I prayed, "Lord, give me wisdom to answer his question."
He asked, "What do you think is more important between money and God ?" I thought, "If I answer, 'Of course God is more important than money.' then he will retort on me like this, 'Can you live without money ?' Then I have to say, 'No.' Then he will say, 'I am busy to make money because money is important for my life. And I have no time to believe in Jesus."
Therefore I avoided the direct answer to his question. And I asked him a question, "Do you have a son ?" "Yes, I have one son." He replied. Then I said, "How about if you ask him this question, 'My son, what is more important between money and dad ?' If your son answers, 'Money is more important than dad.' you will not be in good mood. Likewise though money is important, God is more important than money. Just as you give money to your son because you love your son, so does God give us money because he loves us. If you become a child of God, God will give you money and all good things."
Brothers and sisters, I can often see this kind of persons who turn their back on God because they are busy to make money in this foreign country. These persons are like the seeds sown among thorns. But I pray you not to give up faith because of deceitfulness of wealth, but to overcome the world.
4. Person like the seed sown on good soil.
It means the man who hears the word and understand it and produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times. Let me ask you a question. Are you the seed sown on good soil or seed sown among the path or seed sown on rocky places or seed sown among thorns ?
I want you to check your faith with this question. And I pray you to become the persons like the seed sown on good soil, which produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times. And let's make the soil of our heart good. This year we pray, "Lord, let us be the good and faithful persons. Lord, let the good and faithful persons come to our church." Amen !