A SLAVE CANNOT HAVE TWO MASTERS (but you can try.)
“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.” – Jesus (Matthew 6:24)
1. Put yourself in Jesus’ audience to understand what he is saying.
English translation not strong enough:
“Master” – absolute ownership – Slave owner
“Serve” – to be a slave to
Slave had absolutely no rights – they were objects, possessions.
Let’s re-write the verse in light of slavery in the ancient world -
No one can be a slave to two slave owners, 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 be a slave to God and a slave to the money-god.
2. Isn’t there an “Option C”- slave to neither and friend of both?
MULTIPLE CHOICE:
A. BE A SLAVE OF GOD.
B. BE A SLAVE OF THE MONEY-GOD.
C. SLAVE OF NEITHER AND FRIEND OF BOTH.
ANSWER: NO
3. Jesus spoke about our relationship with money on several occasions.
Matthew 6:21 - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 13:22 - “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Matthew 19:23-24 - "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
QUESTION: Is your goal to make it harder for you to get to Heaven?
4. Jesus is teaching about our relationship with God, not money.
God is not like a boss or supervisor on the job, and being a disciple is not like having a full-time job. A Christian has no time off. Matthew 6:24 is a clear statement of the exclusive service demanded by God.
A slave had no time which was his or her own - every moment belonged to the master.
There is nothing, whether time, money, or possessions, to which you can say, “This is mine. It’s not yours God.”
5. Becoming God’s slave is for those who are called.
Has Jesus, the Good Shepherd, called your name? “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice… My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:3-4, 27-28)
There is no “Option C” calling with God. He does not invite you to customize your calling so you can be available only when you have nothing better to do. Jesus said (Luke 9:23): "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” There is no part-time calling because there are no part-time crosses.