Matthew 6:24 - Who Do You Serve?

 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.”

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus lays out a very powerful truth. At its core, this verse challenges us to examine our priorities, but its relevance today is even sharper when we consider the messages we often hear from modern “Christian leaders”. Many promote what’s known as the “social gospel” or “prosperity gospel,” suggesting that faith in Jesus guarantees worldly success, happiness, and financial prosperity. It’s tempting to believe that following God will always lead to a life of comfort and abundance, but that’s not the message Jesus taught.

When Jesus says, “You cannot serve both God and money,” He is warning us against letting material wealth become the driving force in our lives. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being financially secure or successful, but the problem arises when money or comfort becomes our master — when the pursuit of these things takes priority over our devotion to God.

Messages from certain leaders, like those preaching the prosperity gospel, often highlight faith as a pathway to personal wealth and happiness. But that focus on material blessings can mislead us. The Gospel is not about accumulating treasures on earth; it’s about investing in what lasts for eternity. Jesus reminds us just a few verses earlier to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). True discipleship isn’t about seeking wealth, but is about aligning our lives with God’s will, trusting Him even when life is hard, and serving Him above all else.

The danger of the “prosperity” message is that it subtly encourages us to view God as a means to an end — our personal success. But Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve both God and money. Serving God requires full devotion. It means trusting Him to meet our needs, rather than chasing after material wealth, expecting God to bless us with prosperity in exchange for our faith.

Jesus never promised an easy, prosperous life for those who follow Him. In fact, He often spoke of self-denial, sacrifice, and suffering. The true riches of the Christian life are found in spiritual growth, in becoming more like Christ, and in experiencing the peace and joy that comes from knowing we are fully His.

This is where the choice comes in. Are we serving God for who He is, or for what we think He can give us? Are we more concerned with our comfort, wealth, and success, or with seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness? Jesus’ message in Matthew 6:24 is clear: you can’t have it both ways. Our devotion must be to God, not to money or worldly success.

Ultimately, the call of Matthew 6:24 is to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal. God calls us to trust Him, not as a tool for our own prosperity, but as our loving Father who knows what we need and wants us to grow in faith. The wealth and success the world offers will fade, but the treasures of God’s kingdom are everlasting.

In the end, the question remains: Who — or what — do we serve? Let’s reject the idea that the Gospel is about material gain and instead focus on serving the One who offers eternal riches, love, and life beyond anything this world can offer

Romans 12:2 - Think Outside the Box

Romans 12:2:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”

This is Paul’s version.

Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.

“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”

Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.

In the previous verse, Paul told the Romans that even offering their bodies as a living sacrifice to God was their true and proper worship. What he was telling them, was that they should not even consider themselves as their own -- but God’s. Who they were -- and what they had -- belonged to God.

If we follow Paul’s advice, we will look closely at all things from the perspective of God’s Will.

This means everything!

Have you considered whether you daily work is conflicting with God’s Will? -- Does it cause you to miss worship services? -- Tend to cause small “compromises” with what you know is right? -- Place you in situations that are not “healthy” for your spiritual growth?

How about your friends and associates? -- Is your influence on them moving you both closer to God -- or are they working against you, hindering your progress?

Examine your hobbies, recreation and all your personal pursuits. -- Do they glorify God, strengthen your spirit, magnify your efforts to further the Lord’s work -- or just satiate your desires?

Colossians 3:1-4:  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Luke 21:2-4 - Even the Smallest Amount

Luke 21:2-4
He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

He had been watching. Each one would come up and drop their gift into the collection box. A great deal was made about the sound each coin made as it hit bottom . . . a slight pause passed between each coin.

When a poor widow got her turn, the two coins she dropped in made very little noise -- and then she was gone.

Jesus called His disciples' attention to her -- it took her just a few seconds. If He hadn't pointed her out to them, they would have missed her . . . But He hadn't! He noticed her even before she came up to the box.

He noticed -- not the amount, but the portion she gave -- the intent behind it -- the sacrifice involved. He noticed she gave all she had!

To those behind her in line, she looked like a hindrance to their progress. "If that's all she was going to give . . . why did she bother?"

And yet -- to Jesus, she had given more than the rest of them!

How could this be?

It is a relationship -- one hundred percent is more than any part -- all is the limit. She had given the limit.

There is both encouragement and challenge here. It is not the amount, but the portion – it’s the relationship.

We might see others with more than we have, and see the large amounts they give -- hear each of their coins as it rings . . .

But -- Jesus says we can easily out give them -- if we give in relation to what we have been given.

Be comforted too! If given in the proper attitude and relationship, even the smallest gift -- even from the least of us -- is noticed!

Like the poor widow, if we are doing the right thing -- to the one that matters -- we will stand out from the crowd!