In the world of sports, many athletes excel, but only a few have played multiple sports at a high level—figures such as Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders come to mind. Even they, however, were not dominant in both sports equally. This illustrates an important truth: it is impossible to be great at two things simultaneously. Jesus uses this very point when He teaches that no one can serve two masters—specifically, God and wealth. A Christian cannot faithfully or equally serve both. One will always take precedence over the other. Some believers may think they can manage both loyalties, but history proves that every attempt has ended in failure.

When Jesus declares that “no servant” can serve two masters, He means that such divided service is utterly impossible. To serve is to reveal our treasure and where our heart truly rests (Matt. 6:21). Service expresses what we act upon, what directs our decisions, and ultimately what becomes our god or idol. The two masters Jesus describes have fundamentally different purposes and ways. Therefore, a loyal servant cannot faithfully serve both.

Jesus gives clear reasons why divided service cannot exist. First, service requires undivided devotion. There is no room for divided loyalty because wholehearted commitment is necessary for true obedience. God does not compromise on this. As Jesus explains, one will love one master and hate the other. God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). He requires the same devotion when He tells the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions in order to follow Him (Luke 18:22). Jesus makes it clear that discipleship demands complete devotion—even to the point of hating one’s own life in comparison (Luke 14:26).

Serving wealth is an insult to the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture distinguishes between loving money and serving it. Loving money reveals our interest in it; serving money means obeying it, shaping our lives around it, and allowing it to dictate our actions. Those who serve money may honor God with their lips but serve another master in their hearts. Their devotion is misplaced, revealing a rebellious spirit. Jesus warns us against attempting to serve both masters because, in practice, either God will be elevated in our lives or money will be. Wealth is meant to serve us—not to rule us—and it must be used for God’s glory.

At the beginning of verse 13, Jesus speaks vaguely of “no servant,” but by the end He addresses His disciples directly: “you cannot.” This is a command to obey God and avoid the sin of serving money. Ultimately, our loyalty must belong to God alone. To serve money is idolatry.

Even Christians may fall into idolatry when money becomes their highest priority. When this happens, money—not God—rules the heart. We must ask ourselves: is our first thought each morning to earn more money, or to glorify God? We must resist the lie that money can offer lasting security, comfort, or happiness. More often, it brings sorrow and destruction. When our emotions are driven by greed, fear, and covetousness, wealth has become an idol. John Calvin once wrote, “Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost His authority.”

Ten diagnostic questions reveal whether money has become our master:

1. Does money influence your decisions more than prayer does?
2. Do you feel more anxiety about finances than trust in God’s provision?
3. Do you struggle to give generously because you feel you “can’t afford it”?
4. Do you think about money more often than God?
5. Do you avoid obeying God when obedience may affect your income or comfort?
6. Do you find identity in what you earn or own?
7. Do you envy others’ income, lifestyle, or possessions?
8. Do unexpected expenses provoke fear or irritation?
9. Do you neglect time with God because you are busy pursuing financial goals?
10. Would losing money trouble you more than losing intimacy with God?

These questions serve as early warning signs of a heart drifting toward idolatry. As J.C. Ryle warns, “We may love money without having it, just as we may have money without loving it. It is an evil that works very deceitfully… Once let it get the mastery, and it will harden, palsy, sear, freeze, blight, and wither our souls. It overthrew an apostle of Christ; let us take heed that it does not overthrow us. One leak may sink a ship; one unmortified sin may ruin a soul.”

How can we avoid idolizing money?

1. Recognize that money is a tool for God’s glory.
   The amount we earn is not what matters most. What matters is how we use what God has entrusted to us—whether little or much. Prayer reminds us of our dependence on God and His provision.
2. Remember that God owns everything.
   We are stewards of His possessions, not owners. When we truly grasp this, we freely use our resources for His purposes.
3. Cultivate contentment.
   Loving God over money produces genuine contentment. To place our contentment in wealth is spiritual death. Only when we surrender everything to God does He shape us into vessels useful for His work.
   Jerry Bridges describes discontentment as questioning the goodness of God. In contrast, the contented believer rests in God’s provision and grace, finding satisfaction that greed and envy never provide.
4. Practice generous giving.
   Giving is an expression of true life. Generosity flows from understanding that all we have belongs to God and that we were created for good works (Eph. 2:10). God’s sufficient grace enables us to give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7–8).
   As Charles Spurgeon said, “Giving is true having.”
   Biblical giving is self-sacrificial and unconcerned with the amount. True generosity gives—and forgets.

Whatever our financial circumstances, we must remember that Jesus is our Rescuer. In Him, we find rest, and in Him, our deepest hunger and thirst are satisfied. We must serve Christ as our only master. Although the temptation to serve money is real, we can resist because Christ has loved us and demonstrated His love through His life and death.