"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.”
(Matthew 6:24)
All of us serve someone or something. Each one of us makes decisions to be involved with activities, jobs, families, neighborhood events, and our hobbies and interests. The question is “Who do we serve?”
We live in a material age. Success is determined by how much “stuff” we have, how much money we have accumulated, and how well we measure up in the eyes of society-how big our house is, what kind of car we drive, etc. The value of our lives and self-respect is often determined on what money can buy.
Jesus teaches that the “eye” is the lamp of the body. In other words, Jesus is asking us to evaluate “what looks good to us.” When we look at our lives, see the world, and perceive others, “what do we see?” Do we see the needs of people? Do we notice the person who is in need of our compassion? Do we take pity on those who are hurting? Are we concerned with those who can't really make it in life without help? Or do we just see what the world has to offer us? Do we just evaluate the world around us from our position of privilege?
How we perceive the world around us, and what we value in our heart determines who and what we serve. To serve God and lay up treasure in heaven is to be concerned about those in need (Matthew 25:31-46). To have the love of God in us is to notice when others have a need (I John 3:16-18). To be followers of Christ is to who love to others, not simply talk about it.
The question: "Who do you serve?"