Matthew 6:24 by Jessie Holmes

“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

Who is your master? Everyone is serving a master. Jesus in this verse mentions two of them: God and money (possessions). Servant and master are in no way the same as an employer and employee.  A slave or a servant was the property of only one Master. This slave or servant was in total submission to that master and committed their life to servitude under his authority. The servant who makes money and possessions their master is committing to a life of greed, discontentment, emptiness, and selfishness. We can look at the world and see how fleeting money and possessions can be. The things of the world are not constant, reliable, or provide joy. This master runs his servant until the only thing left is brokenness. This is the master that we see so many serving.

There is however another Master who is worthy of the title. He created the heavens and the earth. He sustains all things and controls all things. He is just, righteous, and faithful. A life committed to Him may not be easy, but that servant will find joy, purpose, fulfillment, and hope. God is the master I am describing and He selfishly wants the whole heart. He will not share. In reality it is impossible to seek the things of God and the things of the world. Both are going in two opposite directions. Much like Highlander, there can only be one.

So here’s the punch line: Our lives reflect whom we are serving. People around us will see, because both masters produce fruit in our lives. The question is, which master is worthy of our time, attention, devotion, and commitment. Take some time today and look at your week. Look at how you have spent each of your days and ask yourself this question: Who am I serving?