Who is your master?

“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.” (Matthew 6:24)

In this world we have a choice. To worship at the altar of money, possessions, and self-indulgent behavior or the altar of God which is of selflessness and a love of Jesus and our fellow man. As Matthew states, we “can’t” serve both. Sure, we may have money if God has blessed us with it, and we subsequently honor Him for that blessing, but if we are pursuing money and success more so than Jesus, then that’s where the problem comes in. Our focus in this life should be on God first. Our time in this world may seem long (maybe 80-90 years for most of us) but what is that compared to all of ETERNITY?

In addition to money, we will also at times focus our efforts on worries, troubles and disagreements with others. When we are trying to do everything on our own in life, these are the “tools” satan will use to steer us from a relationship with God. When we are trying to “solve” our worries, our troubles, or fighting about politics or money with other people, it takes our attention off where it should be, and that’s the cross where Jesus died so we WOULDN’T have to solve all these problems on our own. Having a relationship with God doesn’t mean all these concerns magical disappear but He promises to shoulder the burden for us. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7) and “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

As we move away from serving worldly things and focus on serving God, our views will change. Worldly possessions and money may provide us with some “immediate” joy, but ultimately that joy will be fleeting. As we instead work to promote God’s glory, there may not be that same immediate satisfaction. In fact, we may even be chastised by non-believers at times, but rest assured our reward, while unseen at this moment, IS assured. “So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) and “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24).

So, we are saved by God’s grace, we then steer away from the sins of this world but what are we to do with our newfound salvation? “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13) and “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ And: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31). The bottom line is to live a life for God’s glory and let all who cross your path hear about His abundant and never ceasing love for them. As “you” were saved through Jesus, you are also commanded to bring His word to all those with ears to hear. Love your neighbor as yourself. Don’t quarrel and bicker about the nonsense of this world where our time is short, but instead show so much love and joy that those around you that they will want to know “why” you are so happy and at peace. A peace and joy that can only be achieved through a promise of an everlasting life with, and because of, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Please listen to the short video above. Focus on the “long” end of the rope where God is our master, now and forever, and NOT on the “short” end where satan rules and can rob us of that eternity with our Heavenly Father.