Money Shouldn’t Be Your Master
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the story of the rich young ruler. This man had everything going for him and seemed to lack nothing. On the surface, it appeared that he was an obvious shoo-in for the Kingdom of God since he honored his parents, loved his neighbors, and kept the commandments. He had the opportunity to ask Jesus, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" After verifying that he obeys and keeps the commandments, Jesus said to him, "If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." When the rich young ruler heard this statement from Jesus, he left grieving because he owned a lot of property and had great wealth.
On the outside, this man was climbing the workspace ladder to heaven. He said and did the right things, but there was a heart issue buried deep where no one could see it. This was an issue of idolatry, worship, and ironically, an issue of the first commandment, which he said he kept. This man could not give up his property and fell into a warning that Jesus had presented earlier in the gospel accounts. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
This brings us to the topic of stewardship. Regardless of what you've been told, this is not just an issue for the 1%. This is an issue that applies to all of us. It doesn't matter how much you have, what matters is what you do with what you have. Most of our lives are focused on earning, spending, and stewarding money, especially for men who are the sole providers of the home. Your value is not determined by your net worth. Rather, it is determined by the fact you have been created in the image of God. From the poorest of the poor to the richest of the rich, we are all on equal footing in the eyes of the Lord. The stark reality that the rich young ruler faced and that we all face today is that you will either serve God or money.
Money and possessions are never going to make you happy and fulfilled. This is such a critical truth for us as Christians. If you don't live this truth, you'll spend your whole life focused on menial and temporary treasures instead of eternal treasures. What we do with wealth now will affect our reward in the coming Kingdom. If you have not been faithful in unrighteous wealth, who will trust you with true riches? As Jesus says in Luke 16:11, money is a tool to help transform us into the image of God's Son, Jesus. It is to be used in ways that will benefit families, the church, and people's spiritual well-being. Ultimately, our earthly wealth should be used to glorify the Lord. It is a tool to serve the Lord, not an idol to worship.
If you're feeling anxious about money, find yourself dwelling on money constantly, or are always looking for the next big thing, you might find that money is a master in your life. Put that master to death and cling to the hope and peace that comes with knowing you've already been bought, paid for, and sealed in eternity because of faith in Christ alone. Don't forget who is truly worthy to be the focus of our worship.
Money is a great servant, but a poor master.
