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MATTHEW 6:24
Our text this month is a well known one. Jesus had just taught that where one’s
treasure was, there would his heart also be. He also showed how we should be “full
of light,” and then proceeds to teach on competitive services – those of God or
mammon. We wish to notice three main points on this verse, with three sub-headings under each one.
THE SERVICE OF GOD
This implies first, a trust in God. We must trust him to deliver us from sin (John ; Rom. ). We trust him in time of temptation (1 Cor. ; Lk. ). We trust him for strength to obey, for his grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). Second, service to God implies a love for God, for if there is no love for God there will be no service to him. Man’s love for God is to be supreme; there is to be none that will supercede it (Matt. -40). God as our master cannot be served except there first be this love for him. Third, service to God implies an imitation of God. Imitation is one of the sincerest forms of love. Certainly it is presumptuous to think we can imitate God’s omnipotence, or his infallibility, etc. But there are things that God expects us to imitate him in. We are to be holy. Why? Because God is holy (1 Pet. ). We are to be perfect. Again, why? Because this is a quality of God (Matt. ). Jesus does not speak here of sinless perfection, but men who are grown and mature in their spiritual lives. We are to be pure. Why? Because God is pure (1 John 3:3). THE SERVICE OF MAMMON There are also three things implied in this. First, there is in reality a service to the world when we serve mammon, or riches. In serving God one cannot have an appetite for worldly things. Second, in service to mammon there is in reality a service to Satan. “Mammon” was supposedly a Chaldean idol, which came to stand for material things. Sinners do not often consider the sort of master they serve! Mammon is a tool of Satan, pure and simple. Then third, implied in this is that mammon still has its images. They may even take upon themselves the guise of things that may be well and good, per se. They may be things such as coin, bonds, stocks, cars, dress, or goods of all kinds. Consider well the rich man of Luke 12:16-22! THE TWO SERVICES ARE IRRECONCILABLE Now, there are at least three reasons for this. First, God is an imperial God. That is, he demands the complete homage of all our being by right of creation. Or, it may be by his right of providence (Matt. -34). It may be his right of redemption; he has bought us (1 Cor. ). Second, implied in this is that Satan, or mammon, is an imperious tyrant. He is not really satisfied with, but will accept, “half-service” if that is all he can get. But even this brings one to ultimate spiritual . Third, it is implied that the two masters are contrary. There is “God and mammon” – they oppose each other. There is “darkness and light” – they oppose each others. Any attempt to reconcile the two is folly – one or the other must be given up! Which of the two are you serving? Consider it well. – Bill Moseley |
