Understanding ‘You Cannot Serve Two Masters’: Choosing Between God and Money

In the profound Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivered a powerful truth in Matthew 6:24: “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.” This verse is not merely a suggestion, but a declaration about the fundamental conflict of loyalties when we attempt to divide our devotion. Jesus used this strong statement to underscore his teaching on where we should invest our lives, urging us to seek lasting “treasure in heaven” rather than fleeting earthly possessions as discussed earlier in Matthew 6:19–20. The core issue, as Jesus points out, isn’t just about our actions, but about the direction of our hearts. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Our hearts naturally follow what we truly value, and as Jesus clearly states, we face an unavoidable choice when it comes to serving two masters.

What exactly does it mean to “serve a master” in this context? A master is essentially anything that holds us in bondage, dictating our actions and priorities (Romans 6:16). While Jesus specifically mentions money, or “mammon” as it’s referred to in some translations, the principle applies to any force that seeks to control our lives apart from God. This could be anything from addictive substances like alcohol, to the enslaving power of lust, or indeed, the relentless pursuit of wealth. Jesus’ warning about serving two masters is a direct challenge to recognize and break free from any such enslavement that competes with our devotion to God.

Following Jesus is fundamentally a call to abandon all competing allegiances. Consider the disciples: Matthew, called from his lucrative tax collecting, immediately left behind his “extravagant wealth and dirty deals” (Matthew 9:9). Peter, James, and John left their fishing livelihood, a trade they had known and relied upon their entire lives, to answer Jesus’ call (Mark 1:16–18). Even Paul, a Pharisee deeply entrenched in religious and social status, was confronted with the cost of discipleship: “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16). This stark declaration, far from being a modern marketing tagline for Christianity, encapsulates the true commitment Jesus asks of us (Luke 9:23). Following Christ demands a willingness to forsake everything, regardless of the personal cost (Matthew 10:34–39).

The Lord describes Himself as a “jealous God” (Exodus 34:14), and this jealousy is not a flaw, but a righteous guarding of what is rightfully His. We were created to know and love Him (Colossians 1:16), and His jealousy stems from His rightful claim on our affections. God’s jealousy isn’t born out of His neediness – He lacks nothing (Psalm 50:9–10). Instead, it’s rooted in His love for us and His understanding that we need Him for our ultimate fulfillment (Mark 12:30; Matthew 22:37). When we choose to serve another master, particularly money, we are not only depriving God of the adoration He deserves, but we are also robbing ourselves of the very purpose for which we were created.

Jesus’ claim on our lives is exclusive and total. He purchased us with His own blood, liberating us from the enslavement of sin, our former master (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; Romans 6:17). He does not share His rightful place in our hearts. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, many followed Him superficially, drawn by curiosity or the prospect of miracles, but lacking true commitment (Luke 9:57–62). They were interested in what Jesus offered but unwilling to fully surrender their lives (Mark 10:17–22). Other priorities and desires held greater sway. They, in essence, wanted to serve two masters.

The impossibility of serving two masters lies in the inevitable conflict of loyalties. As Jesus points out, we will naturally “hate the one and love the other.” This isn’t necessarily about passionate hatred, but about preference and priority. Opposing masters inherently demand different things and lead us down divergent paths. The path of following the Lord is one direction, while the desires of our flesh and the allure of the world pull us in another. A definitive choice becomes necessary. True discipleship requires us to die to self and to everything that competes with our devotion to Christ. In Jesus’ parable of the sower (Luke 8:5–15), only a fraction of the seeds—representing those who hear and receive the word of God—actually bear fruit. Some initially sprout but then wither and die, lacking deep roots in good soil. This illustrates the danger of superficial faith and divided loyalties.

Attempting to serve two masters leads to a divided heart. When the challenges of following Christ clash with the seduction of worldly pleasures, the magnetic pull of wealth and worldly success can easily draw us away (see 2 Timothy 4:10). The pursuit of godliness runs counter to our inherent sinful nature. It is only through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit that we can remain steadfastly devoted to our one true Master (John 6:44). The choice is clear: will we attempt the impossible task of serving two masters, or will we wholeheartedly commit to serving the one Master who truly deserves our allegiance?