A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"God or Mammon, Not Both"

My daughters get frustrated with me when I give them a hard time about the words they use in sentences. One that I catch them on a great deal is using "may" and "can" improperly. They ask if they can do something, when we both know that they have the ability. What they are really asking is for permission, which should be "may I." The fact is that most of us would often be caught on this one. We have all confused these two words at one time or another. Sometimes we confuse the word "can" with others as well. For example, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:24 that "no one can serve two masters." He very clearly tells us that it is beyond anyone's ability to serve more than one master. But what we think He is saying is that we should not serve more than one master. Or at least, this it how we live our lives.

That exerts controlling power over our lives and actions is our master. In this verse Jesus identifies one such master. He calls it "mammon." We call it "materialism." In either case money and possessions are given a name and thereby are identified for what they can become - idols; gods in our lives. The subtlety of this master is powerful and we can fall into his grips so easily. Why else Jesus spent so much of His time teaching about money and material things ( it was a subject He addressed very often if not the most)?

Too often our lives are consumed satisfying mammon. We spend untold amounts of energy and time accumulating money and material possessions. Things in our lives that should be "God centered" become "mammon centered." Our education is preparation to get the best paying job we can so we can live the way we want rather than a means by which we prepare ourselves to serve in ministry in what ever vocation or occupation God places us. Our job is the means through which we accumulate things, find self-fulfillment, and establish our identity rather than a means through which we glorify God, minister, and serve. Our talents are used for self-glorification and advancement in our chosen occupations rather than gifts of God used to glorifying and minster for Him. Our home is an investment and status symbol rather than an instrument of ministry for God to family, friends, and neighbors.

Biblical scholar Walter Brueggmann rightly states that "the Bible knows that the more powerful temptation is not atheism, but idolatry. The hazard is not that we shall cease to believe, but that we shall generate and construct other gods because they are more comfortable and convenient for us." Jesus confronts this head on in this verse. The reality is placed before us. We will either serve Him or some other god. We cannot serve both, but we will serve one. Mammon is probably the subtle, devious gods in our world. We must pay close attention to be sure that Jesus is our Master and that we are serving Him alone. "Choose you this day whom you will serve" - God or ?.

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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