Scripture to Read: Luke 16:13–15
Jesus wants everyone to realize that we can only serve one master. God had Luke record this in Luke 16:13–15, “‘No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’ 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. 15 And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’” Jesus was never saying that money was evil, but He warned that money should never be our master. Christ alone is Lord, and we must put all of our trust in Him and walk in full obedience to Him, fulfilling His purpose and plans for our lives so that we bring Him good pleasure. If we choose to live for what this world offers, our decisions will lead us to seek security, contentment, and peace through worldly things and they will never satisfy us. The Pharisees were “lovers of money.” Jesus addressed a deeper issue with them: they sought to appear righteous in the eyes of men, but they hid their devotion to their wealth. Jesus reminded them, and us, that God sees beyond all outward behavior, for God sees the real motive of the heart. No one can fool God; therefore, we must guard against any and all forms of self-righteousness.
Challenge & Application
What was the warning that Christ gave about chasing the things of this world?
How should we live our lives each day according to what Jesus taught in Luke 16:13–15?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!