Choosing Whom to Serve: Trusting God Over Wealth
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into a challenging passage that presents us with a series of choices: light or dark, two masters, anxiety or trust, material possessions or the kingdom. These choices boil down to one fundamental decision: whom will we serve? We began by examining the concept of serving two masters, specifically God and money. Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve both. This isn't about having multiple jobs or side hustles; it's about the allegiance of our hearts. Money, or "mammon," represents not just currency but the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. While money itself is not inherently evil, the love and pursuit of it can lead us away from God.
We traced this back to Genesis, where God’s original plan for humanity was to flourish in every aspect, including economically. However, the fall of Adam and Eve introduced a desire to define good and evil for ourselves, leading to a corrupted pursuit of wealth. This pursuit gives us a false sense of independence, control, and security, making it difficult to trust God fully.
Next, we explored the topic of worry. Jesus transitions from discussing money to addressing anxiety, indicating that these issues are interconnected. He uses examples from nature, like birds and flowers, to illustrate that God provides for His creation. If God cares for the birds, how much more will He care for us? Worrying about material needs is futile and distracts us from trusting God. Jesus encourages us to focus on today and trust God for tomorrow.
We also looked at the story of Martha and Mary to highlight how even good intentions can lead to anxiety and distraction from what truly matters—sitting at Jesus' feet and seeking His kingdom. Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met.
Finally, we returned to the idea of laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This involves living a life of simplicity, generosity, sacrifice, and abundant living. We examined the lives of early Christians, John Wesley, and George Muller as examples of how to handle wealth in a way that honors God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Serving Two Masters: Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money. This isn't about having multiple jobs but about where our ultimate allegiance lies. Money can give us a false sense of security and independence, making it difficult to trust God fully. We must choose whom we will serve, as divided loyalty leads us away from God. [04:00]
2. The Root of Anxiety: Jesus connects the issue of money with anxiety, showing that our worries often stem from our material concerns. He uses nature to illustrate God's provision, reminding us that if God cares for the birds and flowers, He will certainly care for us. Worrying is futile and distracts us from trusting God. [15:08]
3. The Illusion of Control: Worrying about the future paralyzes us in the present. Jesus teaches that we cannot add a single hour to our lives by worrying. Money and material possessions do not give us real control over our lives; they create an illusion of security. Trusting God frees us from this illusion. [23:33]
4. Seeking the Kingdom First: Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This doesn't mean we should neglect our material needs or ambitions, but they should be secondary to our pursuit of God's kingdom. Our motivation should be to serve God, not to accumulate wealth. [29:35]
5. Living Out Our Faith: We are called to live lives characterized by simplicity, generosity, sacrifice, and abundant living. This means living below our means, being generous with our resources, giving sacrificially, and dedicating our time and energy to God's service. Examples from early Christians, John Wesley, and George Muller illustrate how to live out these principles. [36:09]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Introduction to Choices
[04:00] - Serving Two Masters
[06:23] - Understanding Money
[10:09] - The Tree of Knowledge
[11:25] - The Problem with Money
[12:33] - Summary of Wealth and Corruption
[14:35] - Transition to Worry
[15:08] - Do Not Be Anxious
[17:16] - Greek Word for Anxiety
[19:15] - Jesus' Arguments Against Worry
[22:09] - The Value of Life
[23:33] - The Illusion of Control
[25:19] - Do Not Worry About Tomorrow
[27:19] - Martha and Mary
[29:35] - Seek First the Kingdom
[31:51] - The Lord's Prayer
[33:29] - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven
[36:09] - Patterns for Handling Wealth
[38:20] - Abundant Living
[38:56] - Examples from Christian History
[41:02] - John Wesley's Generosity
[42:45] - George Muller's Faith and Provision
[45:02] - Conclusion
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:24-34 (ESV)
> "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. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
2. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV)
> "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
3. Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
> "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "No one can serve two masters"? How does this relate to the concept of serving God and money? ([04:00])
2. According to Jesus, why is worrying about material needs futile? What examples from nature does He use to illustrate this point? ([15:08])
3. How does the story of Martha and Mary illustrate the difference between being anxious and choosing what is necessary? ([27:19])
4. What does Paul warn about the desire to be rich in 1 Timothy 6:9-10? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about money and anxiety? ([12:33])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize that we cannot serve both God and money? How does this challenge our modern understanding of financial security and career ambitions? ([04:00])
2. How does Jesus' teaching on anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34 encourage believers to trust in God's provision? What practical steps can one take to apply this teaching in daily life? ([15:08])
3. In what ways does the story of Martha and Mary challenge our priorities in serving God? How can we ensure that our service does not become a source of anxiety? ([27:19])
4. How does the love of money lead believers away from faith, according to 1 Timothy 6:9-10? What are some modern examples of this happening? ([12:33])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel divided in your loyalty between God and money? How can you realign your priorities to serve God wholeheartedly? ([04:00])
2. Jesus teaches that worrying about material needs is futile. What are some specific worries you have about your material needs, and how can you practice trusting God with these concerns? ([15:08])
3. The story of Martha and Mary shows the importance of choosing what is necessary. How can you ensure that your service to God remains focused on what truly matters? ([27:19])
4. Paul warns about the dangers of desiring to be rich. How can you cultivate a heart of contentment and generosity in a culture that often promotes wealth accumulation? ([12:33])
5. Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God. What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize God's kingdom in your daily decisions and actions? ([29:35])
6. Reflect on the examples of John Wesley and George Muller. How can their approaches to handling wealth inspire you to live a life of simplicity, generosity, and trust in God's provision? ([36:09])
7. Consider the concept of laying up treasures in heaven. What changes can you make in your lifestyle to focus more on eternal values rather than temporary material possessions? ([33:29])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
---
Day 1: The Allegiance of Our Hearts
Description:
Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money. This isn't about having multiple jobs but about where our ultimate allegiance lies. Money can give us a false sense of security and independence, making it difficult to trust God fully. We must choose whom we will serve, as divided loyalty leads us away from God. Jesus makes it clear that our hearts cannot be divided between God and the pursuit of wealth. The love and pursuit of money can lead us away from God, creating a false sense of independence and control.
Reflecting on Genesis, we see that God's original plan for humanity included flourishing in every aspect, including economically. However, the fall introduced a desire to define good and evil for ourselves, leading to a corrupted pursuit of wealth. This pursuit gives us a false sense of independence, control, and security, making it difficult to trust God fully. We must choose whom we will serve, as divided loyalty leads us away from God. [04:00]
Bible Passage:
"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)
Reflection:
What are some ways you find yourself divided between serving God and pursuing material wealth? How can you realign your heart to serve God fully today?
---
Day 2: Trusting God's Provision
Description:
Jesus connects the issue of money with anxiety, showing that our worries often stem from our material concerns. He uses nature to illustrate God's provision, reminding us that if God cares for the birds and flowers, He will certainly care for us. Worrying is futile and distracts us from trusting God. Jesus encourages us to focus on today and trust God for tomorrow.
By observing the birds and flowers, we see that they do not worry about their needs, yet God provides for them. This should remind us that God is even more concerned about our needs. Worrying about material needs is futile and distracts us from trusting God. Jesus encourages us to focus on today and trust God for tomorrow. [15:08]
Bible Passage:
"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26, ESV)
Reflection:
What material concerns are causing you anxiety today? How can you shift your focus to trust in God's provision for your needs?
---
Day 3: The Illusion of Control
Description:
Worrying about the future paralyzes us in the present. Jesus teaches that we cannot add a single hour to our lives by worrying. Money and material possessions do not give us real control over our lives; they create an illusion of security. Trusting God frees us from this illusion.
Jesus emphasizes that worrying does not add any value to our lives. Instead, it paralyzes us and prevents us from living fully in the present. Money and material possessions often give us a false sense of control and security, but they cannot truly protect us from life's uncertainties. Trusting God allows us to let go of this illusion and live with a sense of peace and freedom. [23:33]
Bible Passage:
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" (Matthew 6:27, ESV)
Reflection:
In what areas of your life do you feel the need to control the future? How can you practice trusting God with these areas today?
---
Day 4: Prioritizing God's Kingdom
Description:
Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This doesn't mean we should neglect our material needs or ambitions, but they should be secondary to our pursuit of God's kingdom. Our motivation should be to serve God, not to accumulate wealth.
Jesus teaches that our primary focus should be on seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness. While it is important to take care of our material needs, they should not be our main priority. When we prioritize God's kingdom, we trust that He will provide for our needs. Our motivation should be to serve God and advance His kingdom, rather than accumulating wealth for ourselves. [29:35]
Bible Passage:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection:
What steps can you take today to prioritize God's kingdom over your material ambitions? How can you align your daily actions with this priority?
---
Day 5: Living a Life of Generosity and Simplicity
Description:
We are called to live lives characterized by simplicity, generosity, sacrifice, and abundant living. This means living below our means, being generous with our resources, giving sacrificially, and dedicating our time and energy to God's service. Examples from early Christians, John Wesley, and George Muller illustrate how to live out these principles.
Living a life of simplicity and generosity involves making intentional choices to live below our means and share our resources with others. It means giving sacrificially and dedicating our time and energy to serving God and others. The lives of early Christians, John Wesley, and George Muller provide powerful examples of how to handle wealth in a way that honors God. By following their example, we can live lives that reflect God's love and provision. [36:09]
Bible Passage:
"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you practice generosity and simplicity in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to live below your means and share your resources with others?
---
This 5-day devotional is designed to help you reflect on the key takeaways from the sermon and apply them to your daily life. May you grow in your trust and dependence on God as you seek to serve Him wholeheartedly.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There are two choices. There's light or dark. Two masters that we can serve. There is anxiety or trust. There are material possessions or the kingdom. And actually, as we dig a little bit deeper, we find that these are really all the same choice. Jesus is asking us to pick one." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You cannot serve God and money. You cannot serve God and money. You cannot serve God and money. You cannot serve God and money. Well, you might say, I don't know, like in today's gig economy, like it's pretty usual to have more than one, work for more than one company or, you know, have multiple side hustles going on. I mean, can we work for more than one master? But Jesus isn't talking about today. He's talking about his time. And he's not talking about employer and employer. He's talking about his time. And he's not talking about his time. And he's not an employee. He's really talking about master and slave." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Money itself is good. Money is the way in which we build society, the way in which we enable so much. But the pursuit of money, well, the pursuit of money is that choosing for ourselves. If you have money, what do you have? You have independence. You have control, you have security, you have comfort. You do not need to trust God. Jesus says, we cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve God while wealth is our master." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Slightly better in the King James, but I can't remember it offhand. Jesus sort of throws this one right in at the end. We often worry about the future in a way that paralyzes us from acting in the present." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So notice that Jesus says, seek. He says, the Gentiles seek after all these things. The material world. Wealth. He says, but you seek after the kingdom. This reinforces the point that he made earlier about serving God or money. It is about the motivation that we bring, not the money, but our motivation." (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Wealth is a part of God's plan for human flourishing. But the desire for wealth is a corrupting force that leads us away from God and into evil, and hence we cannot serve God and money. But now let's move on to worrying. When the... When... the sermon series was originally drawn up, this passage was broken in two there was money and then there was worry and Sam asked me which one I'd like to do and I went well I'll do worry because I don't really want to do money and then I sat down and I read the passage and the very first thing that you find is in verse 25 therefore I tell you do not be anxious about your life therefore this is not the start of a new passage this is a continuation this is actually Jesus is saying from what has gone before all this stuff about money from what I've said about money from what I've said about not serving God, you can't serve God and money from that I tell you do not be anxious." (100 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus is saying don't let your material life be the priority don't let the pursuit of material things be the thing that consumes you this passage on anxiety is quite long we don't have much time so I've pulled out five very few very brief points around that Jesus gives us about not worrying his first argument is isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing right isn't isn't what you do what you are more than the material things that you need to do it so then why worry about the material things isn't there more to life than this is his first argument." (69 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We often worry about the future in a way that paralyzes us from acting in the present. But also, in one sense, Jesus says there's plenty to worry about. You don't need to be worrying about tomorrow because there's lots to worry about today. We're not guaranteed a trouble-free life when we trust God. The problems don't go away, but we need to lean upon him." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Simplicity, regardless of how much money we have, regardless of our level of wealth, as Christians seeking to follow God and to serve God rather than money, we will live below our means, right? Our happiness is found in Jesus, not in our possessions. We do not need our possessions to validate our work. Second, generosity. We know everything is from God. Our wealth is not ours. God gives us what he gives us, that it might be used where it is needed. We should steward, we should be wise stewards, but we should not hoard our resources, but be generous with them." (72 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are to give God our time, our energy, our emotional capital. That's why we shouldn't worry because we burn so much of it, right, when we're worrying. But we give these things to God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength. I want to finish this morning by allowing God to speak to us, well hopefully he's been speaking to us, but to speak to us through the lives of other Christians who have wrestled with this question of serving God or money." (50 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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