No Servant Can Serve Two Masters

Jesus once spoke words that cut straight through every generation: “No servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). This wasn’t just a lesson for first-century disciples - it’s a warning and invitation for us today. Because the truth is, we all serve something. The question is: who - or what - are we serving?

The Masters That Compete for Our Hearts

Satan rarely comes with horns and a pitchfork. He comes dressed as distraction, desire, or “just one more.”

Here are some of the masters he whispers into our lives:

Money and Success - The endless chase for more: more wealth, more recognition, more power. These things promise happiness but leave us anxious and empty. Jesus warned us because He knew: money makes a cruel master.
Lust and Pleasure - The pursuit of quick thrills, shallow relationships, or constant entertainment. Lust promises satisfaction but only deepens the hunger. It reduces people to objects and erodes love.
Pride and Ego - The need to be right, admired, or always in control. Pride blinds us to God’s grace and distances us from community. Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6).
Fear and Control - Worry about the future, clinging tightly to what we think will keep us safe. Fear keeps us from trusting God’s plan. Jesus repeatedly said, “Do not be afraid” because fear is a thief of faith.

Each of these masters competes for your devotion. But serve them long enough and they’ll demand everything while giving back nothing.

Why Only God Deserves Our Service

Unlike the false masters, God doesn’t enslave us - He frees us. When we serve Him, we discover the life we were created for. His commands are not chains, they are keys:

Serving God brings peace in a world of anxiety.
Serving God brings love in a culture of lust.
Serving God brings purpose in a sea of distractions.
Serving God brings freedom where money or pride only enslave.

Jesus summed it up: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

How to Choose the Right Master Every Day

Check your loyalty. Ask yourself: what consumes most of my time, thoughts, and energy? That’s your master.
Pray before you chase. When money, lust, or pride tempts you, stop and pray - even a short prayer: “Lord, help me want You most.”
Fill your heart with God’s Word. The more Scripture you know, the easier it is to spot Satan’s counterfeits.
Choose love in action. Serving God always comes back to loving Him and loving people. Every small act of kindness puts you back under His kingdom.

Final Thought

You can’t live with one foot in God’s kingdom and the other chasing the world. Sooner or later, you’ll have to choose. The world’s masters - money, lust, pride, fear - promise the world but deliver emptiness. God, on the other hand, asks for your heart but gives back eternity.

So today, decide who you will serve. Let your heart echo Joshua’s declaration: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Because no servant can serve two masters - only one leads to life.