Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Matthew is the first book and gospel in the new testament. It was written about 60 to 65 AD and is not in chronological order. Matthew (also called Levi) was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples (a wealthy and despised tax collector) called by Jesus to follow Him (see Matthew 9:9-13 & Luke 5:27-32). In Matthew 5-7, Jesus has begun his public ministry by calling His disciples and giving the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus is teaching His followers (Matthew 6) about giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, money, and worry. Matthew 6:19, Jesus tells us not to store up treasures on earth where they can be lost, but to store up treasures in heaven where they cannot be lost. For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.
As Jesus continues to teach, he tells us that we cannot serve two masters. We will love one and hate the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. We cannot serve both God and money. We are to prioritize spiritual values over material wealth. It seems pretty clear, but exactly what does that mean? If I am honest, what Jesus says makes me a little uncomfortable. I wonder if I serve God and others some of the time, but serve myself and materialism more. I would like to do both!
Unfortunately, I believe we do not get that option. We have been given free will by God to choose our priorities. Jesus does not say it is wrong to want both service to God and material wealth. What He does say, in crystal clear terms, is one cannot place ultimate priority on both at the same time. At some moments in life, one must choose which is more important. Christ’s calling forces those who would follow Him into such choices.
Of course, this does not mean that someone who serves God whole-heartedly will not have money or possessions. Jesus is not suggesting that Christians must be poor, destitute, or flee from any kind of luxury. There is nothing wrong with making money or holding possessions. Jesus means that a person sincerely serving God will not organize their lives around acquisition of wealth and possessions. Money, for a righteous person, is just another tool given by God to be used for His purposes.
Questions for Reflection:
- How do my daily choices reveal who or what I truly serve?
- What “masters” compete for my heart and loyalty besides God?
- What example am I setting for others about what matters most?
Prayer:
Loving Father, I thank you for the teachings of Jesus. You always know what is best for us. Help us to realize that you know best, listen to Jesus’ words, and prioritize spiritual values over material wealth. Then we will be storing up treasure in heaven. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
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