“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)

     Essentially, Jesus is telling us to not let money and possessions be our God.  I’m pretty sure that you can’t take it with you, so it is better to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:20) Our relationships and love for one another should hold a much higher value than feeling the need to have more “stuff.” 

     As Jesus was preaching about money, the Pharisees were listening, but they didn’t like what they heard, and Jesus knew it.  He was aware of their hypocrisy.  He addresses them by saying, “God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15)

     Money is a useful tool, and the often misquoted “money is the root of all evil” is not found in scripture.  “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) Therein lies the difference.  It’s much better to serve one God than to have divided loyalties.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I just ask that you keep my heart in the right place.  You have made a clear path for us to follow, to store up treasures in heaven, which will count not just for this life, but forever.  Thank you for setting me straight on this.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.