Bible Reading: Matthew 6:24-34
The Special Verse (KJV): "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)
Reflection
Even Christians tend to say, "Worry is normal. I'm human. I have to worry." Unfortunately, that is a very dangerous mindset. When we worry about life, and about finances in particular, we may not realize it, but we have made money, or mammon as the Bible calls it, our god.
Jesus says in His own words, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." By implication, mammon is a god, and we have to choose which one we will serve. Right after this, Jesus says, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life" (verse 25). He was referring to our financial needs: what we eat, what we drink, where we will live. When you are serving the god Mammon, you will have worry. The mark of people who serve money is that they worry a lot about financial needs.
The person who truly chooses to serve God and put Him first is different. That person seeks the kingdom of God, seeks to know the character of God, and seeks to dwell in eternal life. They will not be consumed by worry, because they understand that their heavenly Father is big enough. He is the all-sufficient God. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. He is El Shaddai, the God who nourishes and satisfies His children the way a mother nurses her child. They see Him taking care of creation, and they know He is faithful and will take care of them too.
So consider seriously: what is the state of my mind? How do I look at my finances? Am I obsessed with running after money so I can meet my own needs myself? Or have I surrendered to God completely and seen Him as the source of my total supply, seeking Him so He can direct me and cause these other things to come to me?
The Bible says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). The decision is yours. Don't be the person who calls themselves a child of God and a Christian, yet is still worrying about finances and the cares of this world. It means we are not walking in the Spirit, and we have not surrendered to God as our Lord.
Reflection Questions
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Have I ever said "worry is normal" or "I'm only human"? What was I really saying about who I trust?
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When I think about my finances, do I feel peace or anxiety? What does that reveal about who I am serving?
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Where am I running after money to meet my own needs instead of going to God as my source?
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What would it look like for me to put God first, seeking His kingdom and His character, and trust Him to add the rest?
Prayer
Father, I choose to serve You alone. Forgive me for the times I let money and the cares of this life become my master. You are Jehovah Jireh, my provider, and El Shaddai, my all-sufficient God who satisfies and sustains me. I surrender my finances, my needs, and my worries to You. Teach me to seek Your kingdom first and to trust that You will add everything else. In Jesus' name, Amen.