Where is my service going?

[TheTruthWithin37]

Recently I came across a verse that made me question how I spend the time God gives me. Who do I serve? What do you guys think about this verse?

The verse is "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

So after reading this I wanted to find out what serving God meant and what serving money meant. I think that serving God is giving all your time to him, putting him first over everything. Also looking at the things Jesus/God said and doing them. I think that serving money is almost the same thing. You serve money by giving all your time working for it, then you rely on that money for your basic needs, food and clothing.

Let me know how you guys see this. I would love a conversation.

 

[Dovegiven]

Recently I came across a verse that made me question how I spend the time God gives me. Who do I serve? What do you guys think about this verse?

The verse is "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

So after reading this I wanted to find out what serving God meant and what serving money meant. I think that serving God is giving all your time to him, putting him first over everything. Also looking at the things Jesus/God said and doing them. I think that serving money is almost the same thing. You serve money by giving all your time working for it, then you rely on that money for your basic needs, food and clothing.

Let me know how you guys see this. I would love a conversation.

You asked "Who" to serve. The Greek word 'mamonas' translated "money" falls a little short of the issue. It should be "money personified", for which I have forgotten whatever English word alone stands for that. We can say a person captured by money personified is so full of avarice, greed, puffed up over wealth it is like being a slave to a demon of wealth. Once trapped in that there is no room left to love God or people except what people put in their hands. He will love money, fine things, lands, yaughts and ultra fancy houseboats, private islands, stock in corporations, selling out to the feast of the cosmos, the "World System" or world order, the universe of the ultra wealthy, the lifestyle of which is to play by rules unheard of among common folks. That translates to power over the many by sheer force of money. Their money takes on a persona, as though a living creature in the shadows.

The very poor can become equal idolizers of that persona, with nothing but imaginations in his possession. All of that is a going of 180 degrees away from God.

Good topic. I'll find time to come back for part B.

 

[Chad4Him]

Interesting topic - I looked up Matthew 6:24 to see if any clues could be found for "serve". Also from the Greek it looks like that word is more than just simply a mental allegiance or even an act of service. For example the word "douleuein" is used in Galatians 4:9 "to be in bondage" or "to be enslaved". (I am not a Greek scholar but find biblehub to be helpful!)

To Whom or to what are we "enslaved"? Where is our affection? Our highest affection can only be towards one place. I believe we can enjoy life and make use of what money can buy but what really is our purpose and the driving force behind our decisions, where do we find (or to what do we look for) joy in our life, and if we were faced with the choice of one or the other, what would we choose?

 

[Dave M]

I like to keep it simple and real world for me, so I ask myself these questions to help keep my focus rightly

1. Whear do I spend most of my money?

2. What is most of my time devoted to?

3. What is on my mind most of the time?

4. do I love the creation more then the creator?

 

[Lily Miller]

@Chad4Him @Dave M

I think the best question to ask ourselves is, "If Jesus was here with me, would he say the same thing that he said 2,000 years ago"

And then followed by that, it would be " am I actually going to do what Jesus said to me or just continue to do what I want"

I think in this verse Jesus is giving us a choice, one or the other, he is not allowing us to do both. I believe he is laying it out flat for us to decide whether we are going to love money and hold fast to money and let money give us all the answers, or hold fast and love God and let God solve our problems.

He says "you will be devoted to one and despise the other", I don't know about y'all but I'd rather be devoted to God rather than money.....

 

[Chad4Him]

@Chad4Him @Dave M

I think the best question to ask ourselves is, "If Jesus was here with me, would he say the same thing that he said 2,000 years ago"

And then followed by that, it would be " am I actually going to do what Jesus said to me or just continue to do what I want"

I think in this verse Jesus is giving us a choice, one or the other, he is not allowing us to do both. I believe he is laying it out flat for us to decide whether we are going to love money and hold fast to money and let money give us all the answers, or hold fast and love God and let God solve our problems.

He says "you will be devoted to one and despise the other", I don't know about y'all but I'd rather be devoted to God rather than money.....

Very thought-provoking...

This brings me to a question I've often wrestled with. I tend to think "simple and real world" like you described, @Dave M , but then I also wonder - am I simplifying it too much, and not getting "radical" enough. What does it really look like, to be completely devoted to God instead of things of this world? In my heart, I feel that I am devoted to God, but if Jesus would visit me, what would He think? I mean - I'm a "lower end of the middle class" father with a wonderful wife, raising a family and it seems that much of my time is devoted to making ends meet and providing the financial and emotional needs of my family. I don't feel I'm doing much for God. I know that my spiritual life, followed by providing a secure home for my wife and children is most important.

Yet I wonder - am I doing all that Jesus wants?

What say? What should my life look like?

 

[Jakesoulsatstake]

Try doing what he commands .

See if that doesn't change your life It did for me

Stop working for money Matt 6:24 Luke 16:13
Sell all you have and give it to the poor Luke 12:33
Stop praying out loud Matt 6:6
Call no man on earth father, and stop using titles to others Matt 23:7-10

Tell your wife, that this is what your going to do...see what she says. If shes not going to obey Jesus with you...Luke 14:26
And more

What he commands will judge us in the end... John 12:48

Its up to everyone if they are going to do what he commands ... But that's their decision

 

[The Unprofitable Servant]

@Chad4Him ,

Those are the very questions we need to ask ourselves every day to gauge where we are in our walk with Christ. If we feel like we are not doing much for Christ, we have to ask ourselves if we have become "lukewarm". In fact, Revelation 3:14-21 is pretty convicting and brings to attention that there is something very wrong with the overwhelming majority of Christianity as an institution and we as individuals.

Jesus also gauges to the very core of what it looks like to be His follower and the cost thereof in Luke 14:25-35. A really interesting choice of words Jesus uses in Luke 14:34-35 is, "“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”"

It reminds me of when Jesus gave His sermon on the Mountain in Matthew 5:13 ; saying, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Do you think Jesus is trying to make a connection there?


In peace and Love

 

[Dave M]

Very thought-provoking...

This brings me to a question I've often wrestled with. I tend to think "simple and real world" like you described, @Dave M , but then I also wonder - am I simplifying it too much, and not getting "radical" enough. What does it really look like, to be completely devoted to God instead of things of this world? In my heart, I feel that I am devoted to God, but if Jesus would visit me, what would He think? I mean - I'm a "lower end of the middle class" father with a wonderful wife, raising a family and it seems that much of my time is devoted to making ends meet and providing the financial and emotional needs of my family. I don't feel I'm doing much for God. I know that my spiritual life, followed by providing a secure home for my wife and children is most important.

Yet I wonder - am I doing all that Jesus wants?

What say? What should my life look like?

I would say we need to start by learning or finding out what our spiritual gifts are and then using them for the kingdom.

 

[Lily Miller]

@Chad4Him


I do appreciate reading what you said, I often question that myself, "Am I actually doing what Jesus said to do?" or "Would Jesus be impressed with me and what I am doing". I ask these questions a lot when I am reading the four Gospels... I always want to make sure that I am staying focused on what is important, and that is Jesus and what he said.

It's always important to provide for your family, but spiritual food is so much better than real food, and when we give it all up to Jesus we get both of these things... I am still actively trying my best and hardest to get where I am supposed to be in God's eyes. The most important thing is to look for truth, whether it is in a church, or several churches, or on a YouTube channel.. Jesus says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" Mt. 5:6

Just keep looking for Jesus, sincerely.. Search for the truth in what he speaks, find others who are like minded, that's the only way we can not backslide and be real Christians. Ask Jesus to show you and he will, as long as you ask you will find.

Everyone needs to open their eye's because there is so much deceit in the world. I hope you can find the truth Brother!

Peace and Blessings

 

[Dovegiven]

I wrestled with what to do for Jesus while working a great government career as a federal forester/park ranger at a famous lake, looking toward a nice retirement, while part-time teaching/preaching and helping ministries. I did all that by the strength of working four 10 hour days a week for Uncle Sam, running a landscape crew on the side, designing landscapes for other landscapers, running a landscape pest control service on the side, meeting every need of my family and other folks. The day came when my wife and I knew the Lord was ready for me to retire while I had a good ten years left to double my retirement benefits. I really enjoyed my job, had people say they would pay their own salary to have that job. It took a lot of what I believed was faith to do that, also dropping much of my other business efforts, to do more ministry. A financial struggle has always been on the horizon, but ever since that 2007 decision all our actual needs have been met with very little work effort, like designing projects for others to accomplish, or helping a man diagnosed with Alzheimers reverse that to regain his life after 5 months of struggle. That took me doing some very personal care at first, letting him beat me at chess and rummy, getting him out of the wheelchair to walking on his own, sharing a miracle. I never know what might come up next month. Maybe it will be helping an evangelist do a revival, or helping someone conquer drug addiction, or raking a widow's leaves. If I had held on to that safe job I had 33 years invested in, I would not have experienced many opportunities to help some very needy people, to serve the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Spirit is your best guide in life. He will not let you down. Before making any major change, pray with your wife much, wait until both confirm hearing from the Lord.

Ever wonder what family needs remained after Peter et. al. abandoned their fishing boats to follow Jesus for years? Surely they had mouths to feed. Who took over? When Jesus came back from the grave He found them locked up hiding from the Jews, refusing to believe the reports of Jesus. Later Peter announced he was going fishing, so all got on the boat, but caught nothing. Jesus showed up, they caught 153 fishes, and were treated to Jesus' coal fire. All that helped get those doubters to the assembly of 120 on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. So what does it take to get us (with our fears) to where we need to be? We all have different lives, different destinies, but one purpose. Listen for His voice and fear not.

 

[Lily Miller]

I wrestled with what to do for Jesus while working a great government career as a federal forester/park ranger at a famous lake, looking toward a nice retirement, while part-time teaching/preaching and helping ministries. I did all that by the strength of working four 10 hour days a week for Uncle Sam, running a landscape crew on the side, designing landscapes for other landscapers, running a landscape pest control service on the side, meeting every need of my family and other folks. The day came when my wife and I knew the Lord was ready for me to retire while I had a good ten years left to double my retirement benefits. I really enjoyed my job, had people say they would pay their own salary to have that job. It took a lot of what I believed was faith to do that, also dropping much of my other business efforts, to do more ministry. A financial struggle has always been on the horizon, but ever since that 2007 decision all our actual needs have been met with very little work effort, like designing projects for others to accomplish, or helping a man diagnosed with Alzheimers reverse that to regain his life after 5 months of struggle. That took me doing some very personal care at first, letting him beat me at chess and rummy, getting him out of the wheelchair to walking on his own, sharing a miracle. I never know what might come up next month. Maybe it will be helping an evangelist do a revival, or helping someone conquer drug addiction, or raking a widow's leaves. If I had held on to that safe job I had 33 years invested in, I would not have experienced many opportunities to help some very needy people, to serve the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Spirit is your best guide in life. He will not let you down. Before making any major change, pray with your wife much, wait until both confirm hearing from the Lord.

Ever wonder what family needs remained after Peter et. al. abandoned their fishing boats to follow Jesus for years? Surely they had mouths to feed. Who took over? When Jesus came back from the grave He found them locked up hiding from the Jews, refusing to believe the reports of Jesus. Later Peter announced he was going fishing, so all got on the boat, but caught nothing. Jesus showed up, they caught 153 fishes, and were treated to Jesus' coal fire. All that helped get those doubters to the assembly of 120 on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. So what does it take to get us (with our fears) to where we need to be? We all have different lives, different destinies, but one purpose. Listen for His voice and fear not.

Hey did you read this verse of Jesus?Matthew 6:3-4 “When you give to the needy don’t let your left hand know what you right hand isn’t doing, so that your giving may be done in SECRET, and your Father who sees in SECRET will reward you openly”

 

[Dovegiven]

Hey did you read this verse of Jesus?Matthew 6:3-4 “When you give to the needy don’t let your left hand know what you right hand isn’t doing, so that your giving may be done in SECRET, and your Father who sees in SECRET will reward you openly”

I have found that opening up with personal testimony avails much, encouraging others to engage in meaningful good works. Who benefits by only I am not worried about losing a reward for disclosing examples of what people can do to serve God. Most church people remain silent except to give thanks for their children. Hardly anyone admits poor choices and risk being thought less of, or successes lest someone ask for a loan.

In the case of the disabled man, nobody knew about that except my wife and his family until the county nurse checked up on him, then proclaimed the rare ending such that people called day and night asking me how it happened, looking for ideas for their loved ones. God did "reward" me openly for that, though I really didn't want to make a habit of rehab work for one person at a time over months. My advice is simply to restore a very personal relationship with loved ones suffering that, before it becomes irreversible. But most want to live their own lives, neglecting the elderly.

It's best not to judge such things. You don't know a single specific thing I have done since, or are doing, or will do possibly until the judgment seat of Christ. Maybe it would do some good to report some things you are up to, else be deemed doing nothing at all for anyone but yourself besides posting here. There's more to life than that. Don't be afraid of someone finding out your good works. Most of what I get involved in is a team effort, making good works impossible to be done in secret. We don't go down the street bragging on our works, and when you do something good for someone, word gets around quickly. Broadcasting one's good works to get a reward gains a reward, but might prevent a reward from God if told for a selfish, unwise reason.

James 3:13 (KJV)
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

1 Peter 2:12 (KJV)
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation

Here's what to talk about in good company: Titus 3:8-11 (KJV)
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

 

[Dave M]

Hey did you read this verse of Jesus?Matthew 6:3-4 “When you give to the needy don’t let your left hand know what you right hand isn’t doing, so that your giving may be done in SECRET, and your Father who sees in SECRET will reward you openly”

I have many times, and my understanding is he is talking about being prideful when giving, wanting people to see you doing it. When he saw the widow give two mites he applauded her and said she had given more then all the others. He did not say she should of gave in secrete.

Mark 12:41-44
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.



I think its best to give in secrete because its a sure fire way to make sure you dont get prideful, but we do need examples of givers and I am glad that some are out there sharing there experience. In that same area of scripture Jesus tells us to pray in secrete, yet we saw him and the apostles praying over people to be healed and teaching the deciplies how to pray.

 

[Dave M]

I have found that opening up with personal testimony avails much, encouraging others to engage in meaningful good works. Who benefits by only I am not worried about losing a reward for disclosing examples of what people can do to serve God.

Praise the Lord spoken like a true humble servent of God, thank you for sharing. we need more people who share there stories to inspire others, if done in the correct heart there is no loss of reward IMO Jesus was speaking of those prideful wanting to be seen by other

 

[Dovegiven]

I have many times, and my understanding is he is talking about being prideful when giving, wanting people to see you doing it. When he saw the widow give two mites he applauded her and said she had given more then all the others. He did not say she should of gave in secrete.

Mark 12:41-44
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.



I think its best to give in secrete because its a sure fire way to make sure you dont get prideful, but we do need examples of givers and I am glad that some are out there sharing there experience. In that same area of scripture Jesus tells us to pray in secrete, yet we saw him and the apostles praying over people to be healed and teaching the deciplies how to pray.

 

[Dovegiven]

I have many times, and my understanding is he is talking about being prideful when giving, wanting people to see you doing it. When he saw the widow give two mites he applauded her and said she had given more then all the others. He did not say she should of gave in secrete.

Mark 12:41-44
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.
I think its best to give in secrete because its a sure fire way to make sure you dont get prideful, but we do need examples of givers and I am glad that some are out there sharing there experience. In that same area of scripture Jesus tells us to pray in secrete, yet we saw him and the apostles praying over people to be healed and teaching the deciplies how to pray.

 

[Dovegiven]

Our AoG church promotes tithing and giving from members. Leaders are required to tithe. Nobody takes on a ministry there without going through a little training as to expectations. I also was called upon to pray publicly, though not wanting to do that. God likes private secret prayer, rewards that. But tithing is a different situation, it being nearly impossible to be secret about that here The tithes and offerings are registered, and we get a detailed report once a year. We've only had to use that one time when audited by the IRS, which limited our giving total they could allow. But I was confident only the church CPA and pastor, who observed giving by leaders, had knowledge of my giving. That was similar to how the Jews did it in ancient times. Nobody gave without someone in the temple knowing. Tithers were assessed annually by local Levites as to their worth and expected tithe, and had to show up with it. Offerings were noted at the sanctuary. I believe it would be difficult to do either these days in secret too. If a check is written, someone will of course note it. If cash is put in, everyone on that row will take note. I watched a man wrap up dollar bills then use a ten on the exterior to make it look like a roll of tens. He got his entire reward by the time the plate got to me in the aisle.

Another issue is most of the churches like to get members to make promises to support different missions. Those are recorded, the goals watched month to month, missionaries hoping they can count on a budget. So none of that is in secret.

What Jesus didn't like was men standing on corners in their priestly garb praying great wordy prayers, taken by passers by as braggadocio. He also identified the common practice of the rich paying a trumpeter to accompany them while they gave alms, a big show.

When a person gives somehow secretly, God says He will reward them openly, even though people around the receiver of alms know. Jesus did that when the widow gave her last. He saw and revealed right then. But all eyes would have been on her doing that because she would be wearing clothing allowed for a poor person, like blind people had to wear clothing identifying them as truly blind and allowed to beg. Anything she put in was seen. That issue is mostly around no person being impressed over her giving due to the value of it. But Jesus saw past the intrinsic value of her coins. When Jesus elevated her giving, it was enough to offend the Jews who liked to hear the thud of many gold coins. So it was that she was immediately rewarded by Jesus (and the Father) for her tiny offering of her entire substance, forever recorded for us to know too.

It's difficult to make fellow church members comprehend the many ministry needs all around them. When we have testimonies from our local and foreign missions workers, laymen are very much stimulated to at least open their pockets. Without telling what we've been doing, or need to do, none would know. to be involved at all. When a ladies group got up to speak about feeding 600+ homeless mothers with children living in stalled cars and various tents & boxes in dark places. The manager of a fast food outlet offered to hold food to be picked up and passed out. Then other outlets joined in. They couldn't carry it all, so the men's group has stepped forward to help. They tell stories that will break hearts.

In secret? No way. An auxillary/volunteer sheriff deputy accompanies each lady's car in the night. Their story made it into the local paper, which stimulated even more giving. There is now no good reason for anyone in our county to go without, but some refuse help. Many women are afraid their estranged husbands will find them, or often they are using drugs and are too paranoid to respond. So the men offer gas (no cash) for cars in case they need to leave the area.

Tens of thousands of dollars have been pledged and paid on, resulting in our having a huge pantry to feed all homeless that come. That wasn't enough to distribute it all, so the food is taken to them too, days. So are Buddy gas heaters, pans, socks, etc, all from that one missions week. From that fund other homeless ministries, including secular, are helped, too.

I hope all this serves to stimulate Christians to open their hearts to needs with great alms whether they know the needs or not. At least have a benevolence fund to help a few maybe keep their gas heater running this winter, and replacement propane cans for the car heaters.

 

[Dave M]

@Dovegiven thanks for that great post and God bless !! I agree 100%. MY Church literally gives away millions each year and prints a reports about the ministries we partner with, and our elders go and visit these places all over the world, just hearing about it motivates me in ways I never would of been before.

Now on the other hand a real world example of what I believe Jesus is talking about is dont be some prideful person posting your giving on your face book page so you can be seen by other

. Some people are wired better then others, Randy Alcorn one of my favorite ministries Official website of author Randy Alcorn - Eternal Perspective Ministries has given away all his book royalties he has ever received something to the tone of 10million dollars, he tells his story to help motivate others to give not to be prideful. As you can see my his humble living and love for God.

 

[Dovegiven]

@Dovegiven thanks for that great post and God bless !! I agree 100%. MY Church literally gives away millions each year and prints a reports about the ministries we partner with, and our elders go and visit these places all over the world, just hearing about it motivates me in ways I never would of been before.

Now on the other hand a real world example of what I believe Jesus is talking about is dont be some prideful person posting your giving on your face book page so you can be seen by other

. Some people are wired better then others, Randy Alcorn one of my favorite ministries Official website of author Randy Alcorn - Eternal Perspective Ministries has given away all his book royalties he has ever received something to the tone of 10million dollars, he tells his story to help motivate others to give not to be prideful. As you can see my his humble living and love for God.

I appreciate how you handle truth, brother, looking forward to reading you more.

The OP #1 asks how to serve God. Jesus taught that this way:
Luke 8:16-18 (KJV)
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

That came immediately after the Parable of the sower, who couldn't well sow in secret, and all who look would see the fruit of his sowing. If you see no fruit, it must be assumed he had nothing to sow, or neglected to sow what he had to sow the land. That links to people able to see the fruit of the Spirit in us without our consciously trying to present that fruit of righteousness.

It is followed by a rebuke of his own flesh & blood family, even his mother Mary. They were not in the congregation learning valuable lessons from Jesus.

That middle part tells me God would rather we were bold to just obey and do good works rather than leave unchallenged a world of evil works that grab the headlines and instill fear in hearts. People wonder whether anything good is happening if all they see is TV news and newspapers. If the light of Christ is in us, how can we withhold that whenever opportunity arises to bless people? Why not create opportunities to light the candle to immediately benefit those lit? If we do it is God's will that work be made manifest even while doing it, so witnesses can praise God. The apostles reported as soon as possible their achievements before the Jerusalem council that sent them out, Take a look at brother Randy's site, and check out Samaritan's Purse, where there is no horn tooting like Jesus forbad, just good. God wants Christians to know what IS happening, as well as what did happen already, and what would be good to do next.

From basketball I learned a long time ago not to hold a secret from teammates for my own benefit, but to immediately share an idea that would benefit the whole rather than make me a star. Those pats on the back from the coach even before playing it out helped me grow up. It's OK to receive strong encouragement to keep on doing good works. God's way is to let those works happen without interference as happens that my left hand can do things my right hand can't know or control. But my mind knows whatever either hand does, using those hands to make these words. When we do a good work that pleases God, even if it is done supposedly in secret, it tends to be immediately known. The Devil would prefer to keep that unknown lest glory come to God. When God rewards openly, that reward can easily be when testifying about it we lead others to start doing instead of only hearing. When that happens it is Christmas every day for me, and that isn't the end of an eternal reward.