Day 104: No One Can Serve Two Masters

Today’s Scripture: Luke 16:13

Central Thought: God-not money-must have first place.

First Samuel gives account of the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1-11). They set the ark up in the temple of their god, Dagon. The next morning Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The Philistines set their god up again. The next morning, not only was he on his face on the ground, but his head and hands had also broken off before the ark.

The Bible says, that we cannot serve God and mammon. Mammon is a word for all kinds of possessions, earnings, and gains. It is a designation of material value and riches.* If we love and serve God, our money and possessions must also serve God. Just like the picture of Dagon falling before the ark, our wealth must be made to bow before the true God.

In our hearts, we must put God first. Nothing can come before Him. Then we need to offer everything to God. By giving our tithes, offerings, and gifts to God, we demonstrate that mammon is bowing to God and that money is not our god. If we cling to our money and material wealth, can we truly say that God is first in our lives? ‘No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other… You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13, NKJV).

Devotional Prayer: Lord, I lift You to the highest place in my life. I surrender all I possess to You. Help me to cheerfully worship You with my giving.

^{*Mammon: Strong’s Word Study 3126}

Today’s Bible Reading: Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3