How does this verse connect to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? The Verse in Focus “ 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) Remembering the First Commandment “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3) How the Two Passages Interlock • Singular Allegiance – Exodus 20:3 demands exclusive worship of the LORD. – Matthew 6:24 exposes the impossibility of divided loyalty; wealth can become a “god” that rivals the LORD. • Heart Orientation – Deuteronomy 6:5 calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. – Matthew 6:24 shows that whatever rules the heart—God or money—receives our love and devotion. • Idolatry Unmasked – Colossians 3:5 labels greed as idolatry, echoing the First Commandment’s ban on rival gods. – Matthew 6:24 dramatizes this truth by presenting “money” (mammon) as a competing master. • Authority and Mastery – Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” – Because God owns all, He alone deserves the position of Master; Matthew 6:24 warns that serving money usurps God’s rightful authority. Key Takeaways for Daily Living • Examine loyalties: What claims first place in your thoughts, affections, and decisions? • Practice single-minded worship: Make conscious choices that announce, “God comes first.” • Steward, don’t serve, money: Use resources as tools under God’s rule rather than as gods that rule you. • Trust God’s sufficiency: Philippians 4:19 assures, “My God will supply all your needs”; trusting this promise frees you from serving mammon. |
    |