13“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.”
14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. (Luke 16:13,14)
Thoughts: Why not? Why not serve God and money? Many American Christians would infer that you can live for money while living for God at the same time. But the problem of two masters is that they both require your attention, your time, and your obedience. Some times money may tempt you to not listen to God. For example- Sabbath keeping. If all you do is pursue money, you may think the Sabbath keeping command in the Ten Commandments doesn't make any sense. But in the end, rest reduces stress and is good for us and for our productivity. All the studies show that taking a break in a work day and a work week increases efficiency and productivity. Jesus says if you seek Him first- then all these other things will be added to you (Mt. 6:33).
Jesus said, in compliment to not serving two masters that "what people value highly is detestable in God's sight." What do people value highly? They act as if this life is all there is, this stuff, this day's reputation is all there is. There was an old beer commercial that captured this- "You only have one life to live. Go for all the gusto you can." But there is a God who oversees this life and holds us accountable for the life He gives us as a gift. There is hope beyond this life. But we also are called to live this life with hope in the next. So the stuff we have should be held gingerly. The fires in California have cost that state $85 billion in two years. Hurricanes Michael and Florence have cost the Southeast $31 billion. Such things teach us to not over-value our houses, our stuff, our cars, and more.
Jesus said, in compliment to not serving two masters that "what people value highly is detestable in God's sight." What do people value highly? They act as if this life is all there is, this stuff, this day's reputation is all there is. There was an old beer commercial that captured this- "You only have one life to live. Go for all the gusto you can." But there is a God who oversees this life and holds us accountable for the life He gives us as a gift. There is hope beyond this life. But we also are called to live this life with hope in the next. So the stuff we have should be held gingerly. The fires in California have cost that state $85 billion in two years. Hurricanes Michael and Florence have cost the Southeast $31 billion. Such things teach us to not over-value our houses, our stuff, our cars, and more.
Prayer: Lord, let me serve you first in my life, and be willing to let go of my stuff.
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