“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.” Luke 16:13

          How deceived is a child of God who thinks they can love Jesus and money at the same time. You may insert the word “world” instead of money in that statement. If anyone devotes their time and energy to money or the things money affords, they don’t love God and they aren’t serving Him. But the issue here with Jesus is not about money: it’s all about your heart.

          Jesus tells us the greatest commandment has to do with God and our hearts: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37

          The commandment is a call to honor God with a pure heart, that is, a devotion to God that allows no affection to any other god or thing. If we obey it, we honor God with our lives, but the commandment is also meant for our eternal good. Here’s what I mean.

          The history of the relationship between the Lord and Israel is filled with examples of man attempting to serve God and the world at the same time. In their day, it meant worshipping the Lord and idols at the same time; and just as Jesus made plain, it can’t be done. Outwardly, Israel worshipped the Lord, but inwardly, their hearts were devoted to false gods. Their practices spoke loud: they loved the gods of this world and despised the God of their fathers.

          Israel’s double-mindedness towards God is a case study of what happens when one’s heart turns from God, and takes up a love for the things of this world.

Once Israel gave themselves over to serve false gods, sexual immorality, drunkenness, stealing and cheating, lying, violence and murder was the outcome. When anyone sets their heart on the things of this world, they willfully give themselves over to the works of the flesh.

          We choose who we will serve. There are only two masters to choose from. The one, the master of this world, has only one agenda. He wants to steal, kill and destroy the immortal soul of every man, woman, boy and girl. He wants to destroy your marriage; he wants to destroy your family; he wants to destroy your church family; he wants to destroy your country. When anyone gives their affections to the things of this world, they are giving themselves over to the purposes of the destroyer.

          The other Master is the Son of the living God. He has only one agenda. He loves everyone, and desires that all come to Him that He may give them abundant life. He freely offers forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and His Holy Spirit to take up residence in those who believe in Him. It is His Holy Spirit who abides in us, to lead us love God and serve Him acceptably with all of our heart. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us to turn our back on the things of this world, and fix our eyes on Jesus.  

How important is daily prayer to you? I don’t mean reading a prayer from a devotional. I’m speaking of a heartfelt time spent alone with God, talking to Him, and bringing your needs to Him with thanksgiving. How important to you is the Bible, the Word of God? Is it a must in your daily life? If Jesus has your heart, you understand the necessity of meeting with Him daily, through prayer and His Word. It’s all about your heart.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23  

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net