Lesson 14. No One Can Serve Two Masters. “Foundations of the Teachings of Christ” School. A series of foundational teachings that Jesus Christ taught His disciples on the mountain.
Matt. 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 one and neglect the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
- serve [douleuo] – to be a slave. To serve as a slave, obey without complaint, and be slavishly devoted.
The word translated in the Bible as “serve” corresponds in the original to douleuein; doulos means “slave,” and douleuein means “to be a slave to someone.” The word translated in the Bible as “master” is kurios in the original, and kurios means “absolute ownership.” The meaning of the phrase would be conveyed more accurately if it were translated: “No one can be a slave to two masters.”
- be devoted to one – literally, “to support one”
- neglect the other – literally, “to disregard the other”
- mammon [mammon] – wealth. “Mammon” was the ancient Hebrew word for “material possessions.”
Jesus teaches us that “mammon” can rule over a person, and that we need to understand this. Jesus teaches us that a person is just as inclined to submit to the rule of “mammon” as to the rule of God. However, God and “mammon” prompt opposing actions, so serving God and “mammon” simultaneously is impossible, according to Jesus.
Jesus says:
- If you serve God, then you will hate “mammon” (wealth).
- If you serve “mammon” (for the sake of wealth), then you will hate God.
- If you support God, you will neglect serving “mammon” (wealth).
- If you support “mammon” (wealth), then you will neglect serving God.
Each of us must decide what we want. It is impossible to serve God and wealth.
- We have 24 hours in a day and no more, and the choice is ours how much time each day we will devote to serving God and how much to serving “mammon” (wealth).
- We have only 7 days a week, and the choice is ours how many days we will devote to serving God or to working for “mammon” (wealth).
- We have the life allotted to us, and the choice is ours how long we will serve God or how long we will work for “mammon” (wealth).
1 Timothy 6:6–11 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts that drown people in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
End of the lesson.
Source: Father’s Blessing Church
Teacher: Dmitriy Leo
