A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO MASTERS

 Every single day, we make choices. What to wear, what to eat, where to work. But Jesus says there's one choice that sits above all others

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters, either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and money. 

In recent times, the pressure to chase after money, status, and comfort is louder than ever. But christ let us know that a divided heart is a defeated heart. Let talk about what it really means to choose God over money, and how to live free.

1. THE HEART CAN ONLY OCCUPY ONE THRONE 

Jesus did not say don't have money. He said don't serve money. There is a lot of difference. 

Money is a tool. But when you allow it to become your master, it starts making the decision for you. It begins to tell you everything, when to work, compromise, lie,and even ignore God.

Think of it like two altars, one of faith and the other of greed. The Bible teaches us that our heart can't bow to both at the same time. When the heart is divided, it always leads to spiritual instability. James 1:8 calls it being double minded and unstable in all his ways. Who ever controls your heart is your master. 

2. WHAT SERVING MONEY REALLY LOOKS LIKE 

Serving money looks like fear, but Serving God looks like trust. 

When money is your master, you see it in five different ways:

1. Anxiety: Matthew 6:31 You are always worried about what to eat, what to wear, and the future. 
2. Compromise: you begin to take shady deals, cut corners, or even hide the truth to get ahead 
3. Greed: Your eyes are never satisfied, no matter what you have, it is never enough.
4. Spiritual Dryness: Because your heart is chasing money not intimacy, prayer becomes to feel dry 
5. Sickness and Burnout: Chasing money always leads to stress that effect your health and family 

The world tells us money brings happiness but the Bible teaches that true happiness comes when you make God your lord.

3. WHAT SERVING GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART LOOKS LIKE 

Chosen God rise not mean you quit your job or become poor. Serving God means the following things:

• God is the source: psalm 24:1 "The earth is the lord's, and everything in it." When you accept God as your provider, anxiety loses power, you worry less. You work hard, but trust in God.
• Money becomes a tool: 1 Timothy 6:17-18 tell the rich to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.  When God is in your heart you use your money wisely, it serves in God directions. Feed the poor, sponsors missions, and blesses your family. 
• You live with open hands: A servant of God can give the poor, save lives, and spend with wisdom because he's not afraid. Proverbs 3:9 says honor the lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce. 

4. FOUR PRACTICAL STEPS TO BREAK FREE FROM MONEY'S CONTROL

How do we actually choose God over money in this world today

1. Audit your heart: Ask what do I think about most? What stresses me most? What do I talk about most? That’s usually your master. You must open your heart to God. 
2. Practice generosity: Break from the grip of greed. Start by giving to those in need, helping the poor. You can't be greedy and generous at the same time. 
3. Set God first: Always remember to put God first in everything you do. Before you check bank alerts, check God's word, before you chase a business deal,  chase His presence.
4. Declare this word daily: I will not be controlled by fear or greed. My money serves Gods purpose through me.

5. THE FREEDOM OF ONE MASTER 

Here’s the beautiful part. When you choose God as your master, you don't lose anything. You gain everything. 

Matthew 6:33 seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you. 

A servant of money is always enslaved to money, ready to do anything to have it, including selling his freedom. But a servant of God is free. Free to rest, free to give, free to obey, free to sleep well at night. 

The choice is still before us today God or money, faith or fear, the kingdom or the world. 

You can not serve two masters. So choose today. Let God sit on the throne of your heart, your calendar, and your wallet. 

PRAYER

LORD JESUS, FORGIVE ME FOR THE TIMES I HAVE ALLOWED MONEY AND WORRY TO TAKE YOUR PLACE. TODAY I CHOOSE YOU AS MY MASTER. TEACH ME TO TRUST YOU AS MY PROVIDER. HELP ME TO USE WHAT YOU GIVE ME TO BLESS OTHER AND ADVANCE YOUR KINGDOM. I BREAK FREE FROM THE SPIRIT OF GREED AND ANXIETY IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.