Money
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
Did you know that you cannot think two thoughts at the same time? It’s impossible. Try it. Think about elephants right now. And then try thinking about camp at the same time. You can’t do it, can you?
Likewise, the Bible states that you cannot serve two masters at the same time. Matthew is specifically referring to serving/loving God and loving money at the same time. It can’t be done. If you are anything like me, the first time I read this I thought money could never be a master over me. I don’t serve money! That doesn’t even make sense!
But it can. And not only can it be a master in my life, it can be a very demanding one at that! The more you have, the more you want. And the more you accumulate and hoard, the less you want to give away.
When money is your master, you want to spend it on yourself. But when God is your master, you are looking for ways to share what you have with those in need. You want to give to others. As Christians, we are told to give to the poor and to serve others. Money is simply a tool in which we can do that.
Jesus didn’t mince His words. He left no room for a gray area. He said you CANNOT serve both God and money. If you are only thinking about what you can get for your birthday this year or are making your Christmas list in July, you might be serving the wrong master.
I want you to do something for me. Take a little sticky note or 3x5 card and write “What is dominating my thoughts today… GIVING or GETTING?” Place it somewhere you look often, like on your bathroom mirror or on your bedroom door. Ask God to change your heart so that you seek TO GIVE, rather than TO GET.