“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

This verse is often misunderstood. Some take it to mean that money itself is evil, but that’s not what Jesus said. He never condemned money—he warned against letting it become our master. There’s a big difference between having money and letting money have us.

In God’s hands, and in the hands of the righteous, money is a tool. It feeds the hungry, funds missions, builds communities, and blesses lives. Scripture is clear: “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:18). And again, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22). Money is not the problem—misplaced affection is.

The natural man, apart from God, is consumed by money. His mind stays on it day and night. He’s willing to do anything to get it—lie, cheat, manipulate, and even destroy. This obsession leads only to ruin. Proverbs 13:11 warns us, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” And Proverbs 15:27 says, “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house…”

But the one who has eternal life, the one who walks with God, lives differently. Their heart isn’t set on material wealth—it’s set on God. And when God is first, He provides everything else. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). God is not against you having things—He’s against things having you.

Being a child of God does not mean being poor. Many of God’s servants in the Bible were blessed with wealth—Abraham, Joseph, Solomon, and others. What mattered wasn’t their wealth, but their heart. They honored God with their substance, and God trusted them with more.

When your heart is clean and your hands are honest, money becomes a servant—not a master. And when you walk with God, He opens doors, gives favor, and pours out blessings. “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Let your mind stay on the Lord. Trust Him as your source. Work diligently. Give generously. Handle money wisely. And never let it rule your life.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for being our provider and source of every good thing. Help us to never serve money, but to serve You with all our hearts. Keep our minds focused on what’s eternal, and purify our hands so that all we do brings You glory. Teach us to manage money with wisdom, generosity, and integrity. May our abundance never distract us, but only draw us closer to You. And in seasons of lack, remind us that You are still enough.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Related verses

• Philippians 4:19

• 3 John 1:2

• Psalm 1:3

•  Proverbs 22:4