“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
(Matthew 6:24, ESV)
In my collegiate years, I had a job working as a management trainee in a maintenance shop at a steel mill. It was a decent job but it had one major issue. There were two bosses in the office and each gave me orders. Sometimes they would give conflicting orders as their priorities were different and their styles were also.
One boss was clear and concise. He was understanding and gave instruction on how to do things when necessary. The other had a dictatorial style. He shouted out orders in an abrupt and arrogant way. It was a frustrating situation.
One day, things came to a head. The boss with a dictatorial style got on my case for not getting something done. The problem was that he never told me to do it or that it was my responsibility. So, I lashed out at him sharply. Now I know that I responded wrongly, but I was at the end of my rope with the situation. I came to dislike the one boss and appreciate the other.
Jesus was right when He stated, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24, ESV)
Unlike the business situation that I found myself in, in the Christian life, we have a choice regarding whom we will serve. We have a choice regarding who will be our master. Will we serve the Lord God or other things? The Lord our God is a good master. He loves us and has given us His many promises. To serve Him is the fruitful and joyful way of life.
However, the things of this world are vying to rule our lives. The things of this world may provide at times moments of pleasure. Yet, their dominance can lead us on a pathway of frustration and dissatisfaction. Only serving the Lord our God will bring true and everlasting joy. Jesus was right on this, “You cannot serve God and money.”
Renewing the Heart 