Serving Two Masters - Pastor Bradley Peters

Devotional

Day 1: You Cannot Serve Both God and Money

Jesus teaches that our hearts will follow what we treasure most, and that we cannot serve both God and money. The pursuit of wealth as a primary motivator leads to divided loyalties and ultimately leaves us empty, always wanting more. Instead, we are called to store up treasures in heaven—investing in what is eternal and imperishable—by orienting our lives around God’s purposes rather than material gain. This requires a shift in our thinking, seeing money not as the goal but as a tool, and seeking to please God in all that we do. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also, so let us choose wisely what we value most. [34:20]

Matthew 6:19-24 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 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.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself serving money or possessions over God? What practical step can you take today to shift your focus toward storing up treasures in heaven?

Day 2: Godly Work and Vocation

Every kind of honest work—whether driving a trash truck, waiting tables, farming, or serving in church—is a place where God can use us for His kingdom. There is no distinction in God’s eyes between “sacred” and “secular” work when it is done for His glory; all work can be ministry if we approach it with a heart to serve God and others. Our daily vocations are opportunities to be a light, to bring God’s presence into the world, and to provide for others in ways that reflect His love and care. Let us see our jobs, however ordinary, as holy callings and serve faithfully where God has planted us. [48:05]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally serve God and others through your work or daily tasks this week, seeing them as ministry rather than mere obligation?

Day 3: Give Cheerfully, Not Under Compulsion

God desires that our giving—whether of money, time, or talents—flows from a willing and joyful heart, not from guilt, pressure, or manipulation. True generosity is not measured by the amount but by the attitude with which it is given; God loves a cheerful giver who trusts Him to provide and gives out of gratitude for all He has done. When we give freely, we experience the blessing of participating in God’s work and are released from the grip of materialism. Let your giving be a joyful response to God’s abundant grace, not a reluctant duty. [57:12]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Reflection: When you consider your giving—whether financial or otherwise—what motivates you most? Is there a way you can give cheerfully this week, trusting God with the outcome?

Day 4: The Greatest Gift Comes from Love

The most powerful reason to give is love—reflecting the extravagant love that Jesus showed by giving His life for us. We do not give to repay God, to earn His favor, or to manipulate Him for blessings; instead, our generosity should be a grateful response to the immeasurable gift of grace we have received. Gifts given from love, whether large or small, carry deep meaning and bring glory to God. Let your acts of generosity be rooted in love, seeking to honor God and bless others, rather than seeking recognition or reward. [01:04:47]

John 15:12-13 (ESV)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can give out of love this week—whether to a family member, friend, or stranger—and ask God to help you do it with a joyful heart.

Day 5: Trusting God as Provider

God cares deeply for us and promises to provide for our needs, just as He clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air. When we trust in His provision, we are freed from anxiety and the need to cling tightly to our resources. Stewardship is about faithfully managing what God has entrusted to us, seeking His wisdom and guidance in how we use our time, talents, and finances. As we trust Him, we can give generously and live with open hands, knowing that our security rests not in wealth but in the faithful love of our Heavenly Father. [01:06:52]

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God’s provision? What is one step you can take today to surrender that area to Him and seek His kingdom first?

Sermon Summary

It’s a joy to walk together as a church family, learning and growing in the ways God calls us to live. Today, we reflected on Jesus’ words from Matthew 6, where He challenges us to consider where our treasure truly lies. Jesus makes it clear: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” This is not just a warning about greed, but an invitation to examine our motivations, our work, and our giving in light of God’s kingdom.

We live in a world that constantly pulls us to measure our worth and security by what we possess. Yet, Jesus calls us to store up treasures in heaven—things that cannot be destroyed or stolen. This means reorienting our hearts and minds, seeing money not as a goal, but as a tool for God’s purposes. Our work, whether it’s driving a trash truck, running a business, farming, or serving in the church, is sacred when done for God’s glory. There is no hierarchy in the kingdom; all honest work can be ministry when offered to Him.

I shared some personal struggles about balancing farming and pastoring, wrestling with the tension of serving two “masters.” Through a season of pain and prayer, God graciously showed me that my value isn’t in what I produce or how I split my time, but in serving Him wholeheartedly wherever He places me. The freedom to give and serve cheerfully comes not from compulsion or guilt, but from gratitude for Christ’s extravagant gift to us. We don’t give to manipulate God or to earn His favor, but as a response of love, partnership, and mission.

Ultimately, our giving—of money, time, or talents—should flow from a heart transformed by the gospel. We are stewards, not owners, and God delights in cheerful, willing hearts. As we trust Him with our resources, we find joy and freedom, knowing that He cares for us far more than we could ever imagine. May we be a people who give, work, and live for His glory, confident that He will provide and use us in ways beyond what we can see.

Key Takeaways

1. True Treasure Is Eternal, Not Earthly Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 reminds us that earthly treasures are fleeting, subject to decay and loss, but treasures stored in heaven are imperishable. The orientation of our heart follows what we value most, so we must continually ask ourselves where our true treasure lies. This is a call to invest in what lasts—relationships, acts of love, and obedience to God—rather than being consumed by material gain. [35:14]
2. Work Is Sacred When Done for God’s Glory There is no distinction in God’s eyes between “spiritual” and “secular” work; all honest labor can be an act of worship. Whether you’re a business owner, a waitress, a farmer, or a Sunday school teacher, your vocation is a place where God can use you to bless others and reflect His light. The value of your work is not in its prestige, but in the faithfulness and heart with which it is done. [48:19]
3. Money Is a Tool, Not a Master Money itself is not evil, but the love of money can enslave us and distort our priorities. When we see money as a tool for God’s purposes—providing for our families, supporting others, and advancing His kingdom—we are freed from its grip. Godly stewardship means using resources wisely, gathering little by little, and resisting the temptation to pursue wealth for its own sake. [41:29]
4. Giving Flows from Gratitude, Not Guilt or Manipulation Our generosity should never be motivated by guilt, obligation, or the desire to earn God’s favor. Instead, true giving springs from a heart overwhelmed by Christ’s sacrificial love and the blessings we’ve received. We give cheerfully, not to repay God or to manipulate Him for blessings, but as an act of worship and partnership in His mission. [58:10]
5. God Meets Us in Our Struggles and Provides Freedom Wrestling with divided loyalties—between work, ministry, and personal desires—can be painful, but God uses these seasons to refine our hearts. He invites us to surrender our need for control and to trust Him with our calling and provision. In His grace, He brings clarity, healing, and the freedom to serve and give joyfully, knowing our worth is secure in Him.

** [56:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:21] - Opening and Humor
[32:05] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[33:35] - The Origin of Today’s Message
[34:20] - Key Passage: Matthew 6
[35:14] - Treasures in Heaven vs. Earth
[36:16] - The Eye as the Lamp of the Body
[37:13] - Motivation for Work: Pleasing God
[38:06] - The Sacredness of Everyday Work
[40:55] - What Is Money Worth in God’s Kingdom?
[41:29] - Money as a Tool, Not a Goal
[44:38] - Business, Provision, and Community
[46:24] - Godly View of Work and Ministry
[48:19] - No Distinction Between Work and Ministry
[49:22] - The Church as the Pit Crew
[51:35] - Personal Story: Wrestling with Two Masters
[56:10] - God’s Provision and Freedom
[57:44] - The Heart of Cheerful Giving
[61:54] - Why and How We Give
[66:13] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:19-24 (ESV) — 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,
23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “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.

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 6, what are the differences between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven?
What does Jesus mean when He says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”?
In the sermon, what examples did the pastor give of different kinds of work that can be done for God’s glory? ([47:29])
How does the sermon describe the relationship between money and serving God? ([41:29])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus warns so strongly about trying to serve both God and money? What does this look like in real life? ([34:20])
The pastor shared about his struggle between farming and pastoring. What does his story teach about divided loyalties and finding value in God rather than in what we do? ([52:01])
The sermon says all honest work can be ministry when offered to God. How does this challenge the way people usually think about “spiritual” versus “secular” jobs? ([48:19])
Why is it important that our giving comes from gratitude and not from guilt or a desire to manipulate God? ([58:10])

Application Questions

Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If someone looked at your calendar and bank statement, what would they say you treasure most? Is there anything you want to change? ([35:14])
The pastor talked about seeing money as a tool, not a goal. Are there ways you have let money become a goal in your life? What would it look like to use money as a tool for God’s purposes instead? ([41:29])
Think about your job or daily work (whether at home, in a business, or volunteering). How could you approach your work differently this week so that it becomes an act of worship to God? ([48:19])
The sermon mentioned the freedom and joy that comes from giving cheerfully, not out of guilt. When was the last time you gave (money, time, or talents) out of gratitude? How did it feel different from giving out of obligation? ([58:10])
The pastor shared about wrestling with divided loyalties and finding peace in serving God wherever he is placed. Are there areas in your life where you feel torn between two “masters”? What would it look like to surrender those to God? ([56:10])
The sermon says God delights in cheerful, willing hearts. What is one practical step you can take this week to give or serve more cheerfully? ([57:44])
The pastor said, “We are stewards, not owners.” How does this idea change the way you think about your possessions, time, or abilities? ([58:27])

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