No servant can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just saying it's difficult to serve both God and money; he's saying it's impossible because these two "masters" demand fundamentally opposing loyalties and affections. The structure reveals that the choice between loving one and hating the other, or being devoted to one and despising the other, is not about finding a balance but about an inherent, irreconcilable conflict between these two allegiances.
No servant can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished a parable about a dishonest steward, where the master praised the steward's shrewdness in worldly matters, contrasting it with the "children of light" who are less savvy about their eternal future. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct application, drawing a sharp line between the priorities of this world and devotion to God. It’s a foundational principle that underlies the entire teaching that followed, highlighting the impossibility of truly serving both wealth and the Creator.
Ever felt pulled in two directions, trying to please everyone or manage conflicting priorities? Jesus hits us with a hard truth: some loyalties are mutually exclusive.
Jesus uses a simple, everyday analogy: no servant can possibly serve two masters effectively. It's not just inconvenient; it's impossible.
The Nature of True Service
Jesus names the ultimate rival to God: 'money.' But what exactly is 'mammon,' and why is it such a powerful adversary?
The word Jesus uses, 'mammon,' isn't just about physical cash. It represents wealth, possessions, and the pursuit of them.
More Than Just Money
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Understand the original words
oiketēs · Greek Noun
A person who serves another, often implying absolute devotion. In spiritual terms, it refers to the status of a human under the authority of either God or a worldly power.
kyrios · Greek Noun
One who holds supreme authority or ownership over a servant. In scripture, it is used to describe the absolute Lordship of God versus competing worldly idols.
Theos · Greek Noun
The creator and sovereign ruler of the universe. He demands exclusive allegiance and is the only legitimate object of human worship and service.
This passage directly parallels Luke 16:13, as Jesus states, 'No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money,' emphasizing the same core idea of exclusive allegiance.
Galatians 1:10Paul echoes this sentiment by questioning whether he is trying to please men or God, highlighting that seeking human approval (a form of serving man) is in direct opposition to serving Christ.
James 4:4James directly calls out those who desire worldly things, stating, 'You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God,' illustrating the incompatible nature of serving God and the world (represented by money).
Joshua 24:14-15Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose whom they will serve, presenting a clear ultimatum: 'Choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,' reinforcing the necessity of a singular devotion.
Colossians 3:5Paul equates greed with idolatry, stating, 'Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry,' showing how devotion to money can be a direct act of worship towards something other than God.
barnesLuke 16:13: "No servant 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."
See the notes at Matthew 6:24 .
calvinLuke 16:1-15: "And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods."
- And he said also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused to him that he was wasting his estate. 2. And he called him, and said to him, What is this that I hear of thee? render an account of thy stewardship, for thou shalt no longer have it in thy power to be steward. 3. And the stew…
Jesus isn't just saying it's difficult to serve both God and money; he's saying it's impossible because these two "masters" demand fundamentally opposing loyalties and affections. The structure reveals that the choice between loving one and hating the other, or being devoted to one and despising the other, is not about finding a balance but about an inherent, irreconcilable conflict between these two allegiances.
Jesus has just finished a parable about a dishonest steward, where the master praised the steward's shrewdness in worldly matters, contrasting it with the "children of light" who are less savvy about their eternal future. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct application, drawing a sharp line between the priorities of this world and devotion to God. It’s a foundational principle that underlies the entire teaching that followed, highlighting the impossibility of truly serving both wealth and the Creator.
Jesus has just finished a parable about a dishonest steward, where the master praised the steward's shrewdness in worldly matters, contrasting it with the "children of light" who are less savvy about their eternal future. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct application, drawing a sharp line between the priorities of this world and devotion to God. It’s a foundational principle that underlies the entire teaching that followed, highlighting the impossibility of truly serving both wealth and the Creator.
"No servant can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.”" — Jesus isn't just saying it's difficult to serve both God and money; he's saying it's impossible because these two "masters" demand fundamentally opposing loyalties and affections. The structure r…
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Last reviewed October 2026