Got to serve Somebody
In Graeco-Roman times, a slave served his/her master. They weren't employed from 9-5, they were owned and entirely at the disposal of the one who was their owner and master.Today's passage is about loyalty to God or to Mammon. ("Mammon" has its roots in the OT, and referred to material possessions and accumulations - our "stuff")
Sadly, there are many people today who are possessed by their possessions, instead of owning some "stuff", and this is what Jesus is driving at. If we are going to be devoted to God, then it means we consider ourselves owned by Him and fully available to His service. It means we are in His service full-time and completely. There's no such thing as office hours or limitations defined by our "contract of employment." We can't claim overtime or danger-pay when we have to go outside our "job description" because the only "job description" or "contract" we ever have with God is: "Whatever You ask, whenever You want it."
When our loyalties are divided we become conflicted people. When there is an audience of more than One, we end up confused not knowing who to hate, love, despise or devote ourselves to. We are not designed for divided loyalties. This does not mean that we have to get rid of all our "stuff" - unless our "stuff" owns us. The rich young ruler in Mt 19 was possessed by his possessions - Jesus had to insist he sell it all - it was the only way to set him free.
In our last three passages Jesus is particularly concerned about material possessions - the "stuff of earth".
- In His illustration about Treasure in Heaven, He is pointing our Longings away from earthly stuff.
- In talking out our eyes being lamps and windows, He is asking us to make the generosity the Locus of our attention.
- In today's passage He is asking to give our Loyalty to God and God alone
We play best if we play for an audience of One.
| "No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money. (Matthew6:24) |
