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“No one can serve two masters.” With these words, Jesus confronts one of the most serious and subtle issues in the Christian life: divided loyalty.
Let us look at what the Word of God says:
> “No one can serve two masters. For 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 God and money.”
> — Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
And again:
> “Do not love the world or the things in the world.
> If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
> For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—
> is not from the Father but is from the world.”
> — 1 John 2:15–16 (ESV)
The central theme of this teaching is exclusive allegiance. God demands our undivided devotion. The lyrics echo Jesus’ uncompromising statement: *“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.”* Scripture does not say it is difficult. It says it is impossible.
This is not merely a warning about greed. It is a revelation of spiritual lordship. Behind money, behind the world system, there is a rival master seeking worship, service, and loyalty. And every believer, without exception, must face this issue: Whom do I truly serve?
### Matthew 6:24 – In the Mouth of Jesus
Matthew 6:24 is part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Jesus is addressing His disciples, with the crowds listening in. He is describing the righteousness of the Kingdom of Heaven, which surpasses the superficial religiosity of the scribes and Pharisees.
The immediate context is about treasure and trust:
So the issue is not simply money as currency, but treasure, focus, and heart allegiance. Jesus is confronting materialism as a rival god. He is exposing a spiritual competition for the heart of man.
### 1 John 2:15–16 – In the Mouth of an Apostle
The epistle of 1 John is written by the apostle John, likely later in his life, addressing believers in danger of deception. He writes to protect them from false teaching and to call them to genuine fellowship with the Father and the Son.
In 1 John 2, John has just spoken about:
Then he strikes this note:
> “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
This is not addressed to unbelievers. It is written to Christians. John is warning believers that love for the world and love for the Father are mutually exclusive. He then defines the world system:
This “world” is not the physical creation, which God called good. It is the organized system of life that operates in independence from God, under the influence of “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31), Satan.
So in both passages—Jesus and John—the issue is the same: two competing realms, two competing loves, two competing masters.
To understand this theme more deeply, we will examine two key words:
1. “Serve” in Matthew 6:24
2. “World” in 1 John 2:15
### 1. “Serve” – δουλεύω (douleuō)
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says:
> “No one can serve two masters…”
The Greek verb is δουλεύω (*douleuō*). It comes from δοῦλος (*doulos*), which means “slave,” “bondservant.”
So Jesus is not describing a volunteer arrangement. He is describing slavery of the will and life. To “serve” a master in this sense is to belong to that master, to live for his interests, to be at his disposal.
This clarifies the seriousness of the statement:
> “No one can be a slave to two masters…”
You cannot be owned by God and owned by money at the same time. You cannot live for the interests of the Kingdom of God and the interests of the world system simultaneously. Sooner or later, your decisions, your values, your spending, your time, your choices will reveal which master truly rules you.
The lyrics repeat:
*“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.”*
This is not about feelings. It is about lordship.
### 2. “World” – κόσμος (kosmos)
In 1 John 2:15, we read:
> “Do not love the world or the things in the world…”
The Greek word is κόσμος (*kosmos*). At its root it means “order,” “arrangement,” “system.” It can refer to:
John defines what he means by “world” in verse 16:
> “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life…”
This “world” is not neutral. It is a spiritual environment that appeals to three basic areas of human weakness:
1. Desires (lust) of the flesh – sinful cravings rooted in our fallen nature.
2. Desires (lust) of the eyes – coveting, wanting what we see, craving possessions, status, images.
3. Pride of life – arrogance, self-exaltation, boasting in possessions, achievements, status, and independence.
John says: These do not come from the Father. They come from the world. They are part of a system designed to exclude God and enthrone self.
So when the lyrics say:
> “Do not love the world or anything in the world…
> For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—
> comes not from the Father but from the world.”
They are accurately echoing the apostolic warning that the world system is a rival to the Father, powered by the lusts of the flesh and the blindness of pride.
### Stanza 1: “No one can serve two masters…”
> “No one can serve two masters.
> Either you will hate the one and love the other,
> or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
> You cannot serve both God and money.”
Here Jesus reveals a spiritual law: exclusive affection follows exclusive mastery. When one master owns you, the other will eventually be rejected. The verbs He uses are strong:
This is not describing emotion in isolation, but direction of life. To “love” one master is to choose consistently for his will, his values. To “hate” another is to reject, neglect, or oppose his claims.
Now observe: Jesus does not say, “You should not serve two masters.” He says, “You cannot.” This is an impossibility at the spiritual level. We are not designed by God to be divided in lordship. We are created for one sovereign ruler.
And Jesus names the rival: money.
The Greek word for “money” here is μαμωνᾶς (*mamōnas*, often transliterated as *Mammon*). This word, used by Jesus, speaks not merely of cash but of wealth personified, wealth as a spiritual power. Mammon seeks worship. Mammon promises security, identity, significance, and control—things that belong to God alone.
To serve Mammon is to entrust your security, identity, and future to material resources instead of to God. It is to obey money’s commands above God’s commands.
This is spiritual warfare. Behind Mammon there is a demonic power. And Jesus says: You may not stand in the middle. You must choose your master.
### Stanza 2: “Choose this day whom you will serve…”
> “You cannot serve both God and money.
> Choose this day whom you will serve—
> the Lord your God alone.
> No one can serve two masters.”
This language echoes Joshua 24:15:
> “Choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
The Kingdom of God always confronts us with a decision. Neutrality is an illusion. Failure to choose God is, in effect, a choice for the world and its god.
The song calls for decisive separation:
This aligns with the first commandment:
> “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)
God does not accept divided worship. Jesus did not accept divided loyalty. The Holy Spirit does not inhabit a heart that consciously maintains a rival throne.
### Stanza 3: “Do not love the world…”
> “Do not love the world or anything in the world.
> If anyone loves the world,
> love for the Father is not in them.
> For everything in the world—
> the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,
> and the pride of life—
> comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Here we move from the issue of service to the issue of love. The two are always connected. What you love, you will serve. What you serve, you will love.
John gives us a clear test:
He is not speaking of occasional failure. He is talking about settled affection, a lifestyle of love for the world’s system and values. When that love rules the heart, it excludes the love of the Father. The two cannot coexist at the deepest level.
Now John lists three elements:
1. Lust of the flesh – This covers all sinful gratifications of the body: immorality, gluttony, addiction, sensuality, laziness, violence, and so on. It is the flesh demanding to be satisfied apart from God’s will.
2. Lust of the eyes – Covetousness. The eyes become the window through which the world seduces the heart. Advertising, entertainment, pornography, luxury—these often operate through the “lust of the eyes,” making us crave what we see.
3. Pride of life – Boasting in what one has, what one does, and who one appears to be. It is the spirit that says, “I will ascend… I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13–14). It is independence from God, self-exaltation.
These three areas mirror the temptations in Eden (Genesis 3:6) and the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1–13).
Jesus, the last Adam, overcame these temptations where Adam and Eve fell. He defeated Satan in the very areas where we are most vulnerable. But we must stand in His victory by refusing to love the world.
The lyrics make this practical:
They identify lust of flesh, lust of eyes, pride of life as a single system “not from the Father.” To love these is to open oneself to the world’s spiritual power.
### Stanza 4–5: Repetition of the Warning and the Call
> “No one can serve two masters.
> Either he will hate the one and love the other…
> You cannot serve God and money.
> Choose God over money—
> you cannot serve both.”
Repetition in Scripture is not redundant. It is emphasis. Jesus repeats. John repeats. The song repeats. Why? Because the human heart is stubborn and self-deceived.
Many believers attempt to live in a state of double allegiance:
But Jesus states: such a state cannot endure. Eventually, the underlying master will emerge. Either you will sacrifice money to obey God, or you will sacrifice obedience to protect money.
This is the dividing line: Which master do you sacrifice for?
The song’s call is uncompromising:
“Choose God over money— you cannot serve both.”
### Spiritual Realities Exposed
1. The Nature of God
God is not one option among many. He is the Creator, Lord, and rightful Owner of all. He demands first place. Not because He is insecure, but because He alone is worthy and because anything else destroys us.
2. The Condition of the Human Heart
The heart is prone to idolatry. Money and the world offer immediate gratification, visible security, and tangible status. The heart, if not guarded, will drift toward Mammon. Hence, the command: “Do not love the world.”
3. Spiritual Warfare
The battle over money, the battle over what we love, is not neutral economics or mere psychology. It is spiritual warfare.
Paul says:
> “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…” (1 Timothy 6:10)
Not money itself, but the love of money—this is the rival to the love of God.
4. Scripture Interprets Scripture
The Bible, from beginning to end, exposes this competition:
Idols versus the living God.
In our generation, one of the most common idols is money and the world’s system of success.
Now we must move from revelation to response. How do we ensure we serve one master—the Lord—and not the world, not Mammon?
### First: Make a Clear, Vocal Choice of Master
Matthew 6:24 demands a decision. Joshua 24:15 demands a decision. The lyrics echo: “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
You must verbally, consciously renounce every rival master and confess Jesus Christ as your only Lord.
A practical step:
“Lord Jesus, I renounce Mammon, I renounce the love of the world, and I confess You as my only Lord.”
This is not a formula. It is an act of the will aligned with the Word of God. Demons recognize clear decisions. Heaven recognizes clear decisions.
### Second: Repent of Worldliness and Love of Money
Repentance is not feeling bad. It is changing your mind and direction.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where the love of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life has taken root:
Then, confess those specifically to God:
1 John 1:9 promises that if we confess, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse. Repentance breaks the legal ground that demons and the world system use to hold influence in our lives.
### Third: Practice Kingdom Stewardship
The way you handle money will reveal your master.
To break the power of Mammon:
When you consistently surrender finances to God, you are saying in practice: “Money is my servant, not my master. God is my Master.”
### Fourth: Guard Your Affections
1 John 2:15 commands, “Do not love the world.” This is about affections—what you desire, enjoy, and pursue.
You cannot love God deeply while feeding constantly on the world’s values. You must:
Colossians 3:2 says:
> “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Affections must be set, like a thermostat. You deliberately choose what you will love. You choose to love the Father more than the world.
### Proclamation
Say this aloud, deliberately and carefully, aligning yourself with the truth of God’s Word:
> **In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I declare:
> I cannot serve two masters.
> I choose this day whom I will serve.
> I renounce Mammon and every love of money.
> I renounce the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
> I refuse to love the world or the things in the world.
> I confess that Jesus Christ is my only Lord and Master.
> I belong to God—spirit, soul, and body.
> My treasure is in heaven, and my heart follows my treasure.
> My money does not own me; I am a servant of the living God.
> The love of the Father is in me, and I live for His will alone.
> No one can serve two masters,
> and by God’s grace, I serve the Lord my God alone.
> Amen.**
### Prayer
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You and submit myself to Your Word. You have said that no one can serve two masters, and that if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. I acknowledge that Your Word is true.
Where I have loved the world, where I have trusted in money, where I have walked in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life, I confess it as sin. I ask You to forgive me and to cleanse me by the blood of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I receive You afresh as my only Lord and Master. Deliver me from every influence of Mammon and the world system. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Write Your priorities on my heart. Teach me to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness in every decision, especially in the use of money.
Father, set my love on You. Let the love of the Father rule my heart, so that my life, my resources, and my future belong entirely to You. I thank You that You are faithful to keep what I commit to You. I choose this day to serve You alone.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.”
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