You Cannot Serve Two Masters!

Good day! Thank you so much for signing in to read what the Lord has given me to share with you today. I pray that He will give you fresh revelation and a clearer understanding of the provisions and His requirements for those who have or will become a part of His body, the body of Christ, the church. God loves you more than you can even imagine and He desires to reveal more of Himself to you today. Eric

For many in the church today, there has been great compromise with the ways of the world. Christians have become very materialistic and have compromised their morals and their ethics. They dress like the world, talk like the world and if not agreeing with the world's perversions - are ignoring them.

The topics I want to address are those of materialism or wealth and servanthood. Matthew 6:19-21 and 24 (NKJV) reads, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... 24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." In these verses, Jesus is contrasting the uncertain temporal nature of earthly treasures, which decays or can be stolen, with heavenly treasure which endures forever. In Biblical times, continuing on to today, one's treasure refers to what has significant value to us. Our treasures might include material wealth, i.e. our home, our jobs or our education. ‘Treasures’ are the things we value the most. Jesus doesn’t prohibit material possessions nor the enjoyment of material things. He has promised He will bless His children. However, He does warn against a selfish and extravagant materialism that consumes one’s time and thoughts at the expense of what should be more valuable. For example, investing time and effort in loving and training your children in the things of the Lord is more valuable than spending every minute of your day at work amassing wealth. We need to particularly take note of verse 21, “where your treasure is there your heart will be also. “The location of treasure reveals the object of affection, shaping attitudes, priorities and behavior.” (Topical Lexicon Bible Hub).

In a relationship with God, exclusivity of devotion is required - believers are to be wholeheartedly committed to God. (Deuteronomy 6:5). In covenant with God, we choose God over idols, choose life over death and choose blessing over cursing for our life. With relationship with God, there is no ‘middle of the road’ to be walked. There are no ‘gray ‘ areas with God. It’s either black or white. There are no ‘little white’ lies that are acceptable with Him. Sin is sin.

When you are devoted to someone, you have a deep commitment and allegiance to them. Being devoted to God, entails having undivided loyalty to Him.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) instructs us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. This verse conveys the importance of aligning our hearts with godly values.

Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) is our primary text for our post today, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 'Serve,' douleuo from the root word doulbs, in the Greek, properly means: to serve as a slave, having all personal ownership - rights assigned to the owner!" (HELPS Word-studies). We gain added insight from the Bible Hub Topical Lexicon which states that "the word, 'serve' is a binding obligation; the verb presents service that is unshared and is shaped by the character of the master, who is served." The end of the verse instructs: "You cannot 'serve,' (be a slave to) both God and mammon. 'Serve' is the same word used in verse 21, douleuo meaning to serve as a slave. 'Mammon' being of Chaldee origin, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance means: wealth personified. The Greek word, mammonas is Avarice deified. Avarice from the Merriam Webster Dictionary conveys greed, meaning: excessive or insatiable desire for wealth. Then, we receive even more clarification in gleaning from Bible Hub HELPS Word-studies that mammonas is a Semitic term for "the treasure a person trusts in." It is believed to be an Aramaic term related to the Hebrew term, 'aman' meaning to trust. (Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

When we choose to 'serve' God then, our service is to be 'unshared and shaped by His character!' He is the One we need to put our trust in.

I realize this is an involved teaching, however, it is so very important that we understand thoroughly the knowledge Jesus was imparting to His disciples. It could honestly be a matter of 'life' or 'death' spiritually for us. I believe, to perceive wealth as 'personified' is not an easy concept for many of us - so, let's continue on. In Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, "Mammonas denotes material wealth in such a way that it is treated as a personal power competing with devotion to God." Take note, mammon is not simply money, which many believers wrongly have assumed or been taught.

"Jesus treats mammonas as an alternative lord requiring 'service.' The imagery exposes wealth's capacity to command loyalty, shape priorities and demand sacrifice - traits that properly belong only to God. By elevating possessions, the heart is divided, resulting in contempt toward God." (Bible Hub, Topical Lexicon Overview).

The end of verse 24 reveals, "You cannot serve God and mammon." "One master inevitably claims the heart! It is impossible for a slave to have divided service." (Bible Hub, Topical Lexicon Overview).

When we attempt to serve two masters, we will have divided loyalties. gotquestions.org explained 'not being able to serve two masters’ this way: " When the difficulties of discipleship clash with the lure of fleshly pleasure, the magnetic pull of wealth and worldly success will draw us away from Christ." I have found that most of those who have great wealth are never satisfied and constantly want more.

"When God in His infinite mercy visits man by His Spirit, that Spirit does not come as a neutral power to dwell quietly within man to share His heart with the Prince of Darkness - He enters with full intent to reign! Therefore, there is a conflict which cannot be ended by armistice, but must be carried on to the end. And that end will be found either in the driving out of the evil or in the thrusting out of the good - for one or the other, either the Prince of Darkness or the King of Light - will have dominion over man." (Charles Spurgeon).

There is nothing wrong with wealth in and of itself. It is the love of wealth that creates the problem. (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV). The world has become very attached to wealth or at least to the schemes or plans to gain it. For example, in 2023 United States Lottery sales totaled more than 113 billion dollars! (ScrippsNews.com). In 2020-21 Australians spent more that 7 billion in lotteries (abc.netau7news). Interestingly, in states like Massachusetts in the U.S., low income individuals spend a larger percentage of their income on lottery tickets. We in developed countries have become comfortable with our material things. Many think or believe that they cannot do without them and so have made having them a top priority in their life.

Contentment does not come from how much we have but from the freedom that results from understanding that we are living in God's provision. (1 Timothy 6:6,7). God is the true source of everything we have - not jobs, not lotteries. The Word of God declares - "And my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).

Loving money and our treasures opens our lives to the ultimate deception because the heart of the issue is lordship. We are to pursue true riches - those that are spiritual in nature and eternal, i.e.: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, and patience.

We do find a number of those who suffered the consequences for loving and putting their wealth before God, in the Scriptures. Achan brought death to his entire family and defeat to the army of God. (Israel). (Joshua 7:19-26). Delilah betrayed Sampson (Judges 16:4-6). Judas betrayed Jesus. He ended up hanging himself. (Matthew 27:5). Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit when they held back money from the disciples and both dropped dead. (Acts 5:1-10).

Looking at 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV), "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Note, the 'love' of money is the root of all evil. (Not the money itself). "The word 'root' in the Greek is rhiza and means: the origin, source, or cause of evil. Kakon, the Greek for ‘evil’ conveys: wrong, inner malice or inner malice flowing out of a morally rotten character." (HELPS Word-studies).

Lastly today, we will look at a verse that is a promise of provision! Matthew 6:33, (ESV), "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." 'Seek' (zetes) means: to search for, desire, strive for, and aim at. Here, 'first' conveys ultimate allegiance rather than mere sequence: all legitimate concerns are subordinated to the Father's rule." (Topical Lexicon, Bible Hub). He is our Master and He takes complete care of His servants! 'But seek first the Kingdom of God' emphasizes the priority of God's Kingdom in a believer's life. Seeking the Kingdom first implies prioritizing spiritual matters over material needs." 'And all these things will be added to you' is a promise we can stand on!

Aside from the wealth issue, when the heart is claimed for personal gain in many areas, as opposed to a heart set on living a godly life, our 'master' will lead us to sin or an outward religion rather than internal servitude.

Sadly, we see examples of those in the church today who unwittingly have not understood the truth in the Word of God. Then, because of a lack of knowledge of the Word or because of rebellion, they are not living the godly life God calls His children to live. For some, we hear it displayed in lip service, but their lifestyle does not involve following the Word of God. An example of sin that Christians have increased activity in is cohabitation prior to marriage. Pew Research Center reports "the share of adults who have lived with a romantic partner is now higher than the share of those who have ever been married." The good news we have, is that if you find yourself in this situation, when you repent and confess your sin, He forgives you from all your sin and cleanses you from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9)

The church needs to understand that when you enter into a relationship with God, exclusivity of devotion is required. Believer's are to be wholeheartedly committed to God. (Deuteronomy 6:5).

When we correctly prioritize God's Kingdom standards and character (righteousness and holiness) our material needs will be met.

Our loving Father will provide all the necessities of life! If we live our lives according to His will - He has promised great blessing, in fact blessings above all we can ask, think or even imagine! (Ephesians 3:20).

Choose to serve only God! You cannot have or serve two masters!

Praise Him forever!

NKJV New King James Version

NIV New International Version

ESV English Standard Version