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. – Matthew 6:24
An entire industry exists in the United States around the management of money—budgeting, saving, spending, investing. There are professionals to guide you in investment management and developing a financial portfolio. In the inflationary times experienced since the COVID pandemic, many Americans have discovered that money is a limited resource. One might expect that, when money is limited, the government would make cuts in services or budget priorities. That has not been the case lately, however.
There are roughly 2,350 Bible verses that deal with money—twice as many as deal with faith or prayer. Jesus had a lot to say about it. Sixteen of his parables deal with that topic, amounting to nearly fifteen percent of everything he spoke about. In fact, He taught more about money and the Kingdom of God than any other singular subject.
South Carolina pastor Dr. Rick Ezell offers several reminders regarding the handling of money: First, everything belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). It is meant to be managed with “an open hand, an open mind, and an open checkbook” (Proverbs 3:9-10). Money is meant to be a means, never the end (Matthew 6:33). The Lord intends that you share what you have (Proverbs 11:24).
The next time you reconcile your bank statement, review your approach to money. It is imperative to pay your bills, but how have you dealt with what is left? What you treasure is the measure of where your heart is (Matthew 6:21). As you pray for the Lord to guide you with the financial blessings He has entrusted to you, pray for leaders in the Federal Reserve, Congress, and the president’s administration to be diligent in dealing with the nation’s money.
Today’s Verse: 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
