Summer Sermon Series June 7-8, 2025
“Two Masters?” Matthew 6:19-24
Rev. John R. Larson Ascension Lutheran Church Littleton, Colorado
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)
How many times in the Bible are we told that we are given a choice about what path we should take, or what decision we should make? A bunch. Just like what I read: “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.” It is either/or.
A chapter later Jesus speaks about another either/or. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the path that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Here’s another either/or. “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:12-14) It is either one or the other. You either live by the flesh or by the Spirit of God. If your flesh leads you, you will die; if the Spirit of God leads you, you will live.
One more. I John 5:12, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
So, why does Jesus address the either/or about God and Money? It is because that is where many of us stumble. You know the first commandment, right? “You shall have no other gods.” Money and possessions can become our greatest pleasure and our highest ambition. They can become our gods. Having money and what it can do for us can take over our life and our soul. But don’t think that this temptation is just for the rich and wealthy. That temptation is for all of us – all of us who find ourselves in the middle or among the poor.
Paul writes to Timothy with these words, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (I Timothy 6:6-10) I must confess to you though, when the Mega-Millions jackpot got over a billion dollars last year or the year before, I prayed and bought a ticket, thinking that God might need a billionaire Christian pastor. I guess He didn’t. He is so good to me, He spared me from the grief of wealth. Not one number matched!!
Our verse from Matthew is truly a question of priorities. What controls you? What is most important? What has the final say in life? So often we get it screwed up. No man can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money.
Before this verse Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
You are probably aware of the financial crisis that exists in our country and around the world. Our country has a financial debt that we will never be able to pay. And too many of us individually, and as Americans, live in the same way. Over the past number of years Dave Ramsey and his organization, Financial Peace University, have tried to help people who have bought things they didn’t need with money they don’t have. He tells people that they need to make some new priorities in life. And Jesus says the same, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He goes on to connect your heart with your eye. “If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” (Matthew 6:22-23) Where is your focus? Where do your eyes look? Only at stuff? Or something greater? Seek the way and the will of God even in the ways of your wallet or purse.
Do you know why God gives us the First Commandment, “You shall no other gods”? Because only one God, the true God can provide what you need. The gods of money and possessions and power and position can never bring the heart full peace and hope. Human aspirations will fall short; God’s provisions of salvation, peace and contentment never disappoint. We find our identity and fullness in Jesus.
Almost 400 years ago the hymn “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”, (LSB 743, verses 1,4) was written. What words!!
Jesus, priceless treasure, Fount of purest pleasure, Truest friend to me,
Ah, how long in anguish Shall my spirit languish, Yearning, Lord for Thee?
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee; Naught I ask beside Thee.
Hence, all earthly treasure! Jesus is my pleasure, Jesus is my choice.
Hence, all empty glory! Naught to me thy story Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss, Or shame or cross, Shall not from my Savior move me Since He deigns to love me.
Jesus doesn’t make life simple. He challenges us. You can’t have two masters. If greed and possessions are the purpose for living life, then they have become your God. You find yourself looking to them to give life its ultimate meaning. They are your Lord and Master. Luther, in his explanation about the First Commandment in The Large Catechism writes, “A god means that from which we are to expect all good and in which we are to take refuge in all distress…if your faith and trust is right, then your god is also true. On the other hand, if your trust is false and wrong, then you do not have the true God.”
Jesus doesn’t make life simple, but Jesus makes life complete. Treasure Him above all things. Find in Jesus the strength for life, the peace for your soul, the assurance that all sin has been forgiven and that you are His forever.
Why is He your greatest treasure? Because you are His greatest treasure. You. Each of you. I hope you know that. The Bible says, “I have called you by name. You are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) God says to you, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
John 3:16 is God’s heart shown to you and the world. The whole life of Jesus, His purposeful death and full resurrection is a gift of deep love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
You can’t have two gods. That doesn’t work. A divided heart is an ailing heart. But you can have one God. Thee God. The only God. The God of your salvation, of your refuge, of your strength, of your hope. The God who treasures you, loves you, has your best in mind every day is your possession. You are His. He is yours. Amen!!
