Who To Serve?

Matthew 6:24 – “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”. (Source)

Good Morning friends! I wanted to take the time to discuss this wonderful verse. While this is the English Standard Version of this verse, the full look at this talks about the falsity of things that a lot of the world worships. Now this may stir controversy for some, however, I am discussing my personal experiences relating to this topic and in hopes that someone gets something from this. When I really break down this verse and look up the very last word “money”, I find that it means not just currency that is used to purchase things we want. It refers to “earthly goods; property; riches”(Source).

When I was growing up, I found that I always loved God. However, even as I became a teenager and into an adult, I was finding that I was becoming more concerned with material things that would make me super cool and popular. I even went through the baggy, saggy clothing phase (if you can imagine). So many physical items that I just HAD TO HAVE in order to feel popular or the center of attention. What I found is, that the more I did this, the more unhappy I felt. Of course this didn’t come to me overnight. Over time, when I really started to look at myself, I was unhappy. I hadn’t been close to God at all and was feeling empty, despite the attention I was getting. I wasn’t going to church, I was not praying, I was not giving glory to God in any way I can think of. Even after this assessment, I thought I could still apologize to God and “know that He is there” and still have fun. I carried this façade for a number of years. I didn’t realize it, but I was becoming more and more unhappy because I was not putting God first. Even into marriage, I still was not putting God first with everything. Us Christians can only imagine what becomes of a marriage that does not have God at the center and then leading the home as God calls on us to do.

Matthew 8:23-27 – “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.  And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Source)

Eventually, I was able to reach the point I am now, to where God is FIRST no matter what. I am now at the point to where God directs my path and I am happier than I have ever been. I have had storms still occurring in my life.

Friends, the point I am trying to make with this whole post, is we are going to have storms in our lives. However, with God, these storms are easily navigable regardless of the severity. Having material possessions or having anything in this world at all, in my experience, are insignificant compared to the importance of putting God FIRST above everything. Some of us have storms that are the worst imaginable. However, with God, all things are possible.

Exodus 20:3-4 – “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”. (Source)

Satan wants us to focus on the material and the circumstances. Well, what does idolatry mean? What I have learned is that idolatry can be understood as serving anything that is an idol (unauthorized person, place, or thing), which does not serving God. Idolatry is a sin since it directly opposes God’s commandments. I can say today, despite anything going on in my life, I am happy, joyous, and free since I am putting God first.

Until next time my brothers and sisters in Christ, God Bless!