Matthew 6:24(KJV)
No man 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.
As per the Scripture mentioned above, it is evident that we cannot serve both God and mammon simultaneously. That is, we cannot serve God and anything that tends to assume the place of God in our lives consistently. In the strongest terms possible, Jesus reminds us that “no man can serve two masters.” Jesus taught us that we can’t serve two masters. If we try, we’ll end up torn between conflicting loyalties. We must choose between following the Lord or the world and our flesh, which leads in different directions. If we attempt to serve both, the temptation of worldly pleasure and success will draw us away from Christ. Our love cannot be divided between God and the temporary things of this world. It’s either our God in Heaven or not. In our world today, many things compete with the Kingdom of God for top priority in our lives. Many, especially in our materialistic world, have fallen prey to pursuing wealth and other unnecessary things instead of God. 1 John 2:15 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” The Father is not in us if we love the world more than Him. We cannot be in the middle; it’s either we are serving God or the devil.
Giving our devotion to anything else, or anyone else apart from God, is destined for destruction. It is impossible to serve God with passion and love the things of this world. How can we be children of God on fire and also heavily be involved in the things of this world? Many Christians today put everything before God: going to parties, clubbing, shopping, sleeping, working, eating, drinking, and all manner of things. When we treasure these things more than serving God, our hearts are not with Him. Unfortunately, several people prefer to focus on their needs and other stuff at the expense of their relationship with God. 1 Kings 18:21, “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” We are to follow God diligently, for anyone who will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God(James 4:4). It is a fact that we serve a jealous God(Exodus 34:14), so we are to be very careful not to provoke Him to jealousy. We should direct all our energies towards serving and honoring Him. God has a plan for everyone who comes to Him. In that plan, there is provision to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Get in on that plan by keeping our priorities straight and correct.
Beloved, serving God and this materialistic world is punishable by rejection and shame(Revelation 3:15-16). What are you pursuing most passionately using time, talents, and treasure? Is it the sin or god of greed, covetousness, alcohol and tobacco, immorality and seduction, bitterness and hatred, jealousy, malice and envy, lying, gossip, deception, and cheating, or your thoughts? It is perilous to have other options aside from God. The truth is, any sin you underestimate today can cut short your destiny tomorrow. Today, deliberately put away anything or anybody that seems to constitute a god. Flee in a hurry and switch from wrong to right thinking! If you have drifted away from God in your search for bread, retrace your steps back to Him. Make pleasing God your number one priority. Focus on Him above all else, and He will provide for you. Love the Lord with your all, and He will do you good.
O LORD, by Your mercy, terminate every alternative desire in my life and grant me the will to serve You passionately with all my heart in Jesus’ Name.