You can't serve two masters

Luke  16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?  16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

In whole chapter Luke 16, Jesus shares the parable of the shrewd manager, emphasizing the importance of wise stewardship and the responsible use of wealth. 

Amidst this parable, Jesus imparts a timeless lesson: the principle of serving only one master. He uses the example of serving two masters, highlighting the inevitable conflict that arises when divided loyalties are present.

When Jesus speaks of serving two masters, He addresses the divided heart that results from trying to please conflicting interests. As Christians, we are called to follow God and walk in His ways.

 However, the world tempts us with its allurements and distractions, such as wealth, power, material possessions, or the pursuit of fame. If we try to serve both God and the world, we risk losing our focus and compromising our faith.

Trying to serve God while being entangled in worldly pursuits can lead to a life of spiritual conflict. When we divide our devotion between God and the world, we often find ourselves torn between righteousness and sin, prayer and materialism, humility and pride. This inner struggle hinders our spiritual growth and leaves us feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied.

Some might argue that they can strike a balance between their faith and worldly ambitions. However, Jesus warns us that such a balance is deceptive.

 Just as darkness cannot coexist with light, we cannot maintain a seamless harmony between God's will and the world's desires. Attempting to do so will ultimately lead to compromising our values and diluting the truth of God's Word.

Jesus concludes the verse with a clear and definitive statement: "You cannot serve both God and money." This declaration transcends the context of wealth and encompasses all aspects of our lives. To find true fulfillment and purpose, we must embrace wholehearted devotion to God and surrender ourselves completely to His will.

When we prioritize God's kingdom and seek to do His will, everything else falls into place (Matthew 6:33). Our lives gain clarity, and we are better equipped to make godly decisions. 

Serving God wholeheartedly not only deepens our relationship with Him but also transforms our relationships with others and our approach to various aspects of life.

To serve God as the sole master of our lives, we must let go of our attachments to the world. This does not imply abandoning our responsibilities or possessions, but rather aligning them with God's purposes.

 We become stewards of what God has entrusted to us, using our resources, time, and talents for His glory and the betterment of others.

Choosing to serve God as our sole master allows us to live a life of purpose, meaning, and eternal significance. It frees us from the burdens of divided loyalties and empowers us to impact the world positively for God's kingdom.

In conclusion, we must always know that, we can only serve one master, we can either be with God and wholeheartedly do His will or go after the world. If we chose the right path by surrendering ourselves entirely to God's will and letting go of worldly attachments, we will experience a life of purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Let us make the decision today to serve God as our one true Master, walking faithfully in His ways and shining His light in a darkened world. Amen.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord, I surrender my heart and soul to only you as my master today and forever in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, give me the grace never to be entangled with the world attachments so as no cripple my relationship with you in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.