Luke 16:13
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)
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Jesus doesn't just say you can't serve both God and money; he explains why it's impossible by detailing the necessary emotional conflict. If you're devoted to one, you'll inevitably end up despising or hating the other because their demands are fundamentally opposed. This isn't about multitasking; it's about the core allegiance of your heart.
Jesus has just told a parable about a dishonest steward, which has made the Pharisees, who are lovers of money, scoff. In response, Jesus directly addresses his disciples, emphasizing that true discipleship demands an absolute commitment, making it impossible to serve both God and wealth. This declaration immediately follows the parable and the Pharisees' reaction, highlighting the stark contrast between worldly priorities and the demands of God's kingdom.
Ever felt pulled in two directions? Jesus uses a powerful analogy to show why serving two masters is impossible. It's not just about being busy; it's about a fundamental conflict.
Jesus states a simple, undeniable truth: 'No servant can serve two masters.' Think about it – a loyal soldier can't have two commanding officers giving conflicting orders. Their allegiance must be to one.
This isn't just about time management. Jesus explains the result of trying: 'either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.' It’s a matter of the heart’s affections and priorities. You can't genuinely love and be loyal to two opposing forces. One will inevitably rise to the top, and the other will be pushed aside, even scorned.
This principle applies directly to our lives. We are called to serve God, but Jesus warns that this service is fundamentally incompatible with serving 'money.'
Jesus doesn't just say 'don't serve money.' He uses a specific word that reveals its deceptive power and why it demands our ultimate allegiance.
The word Jesus uses here is 'mammon' (or 'money' in many translations). This isn't just about dollar bills or coins; it's a concept representing wealth, possessions, and the security and power we associate with them.
Commentators note that 'mammon' often carried negative connotations, suggesting wealth that is unjustly gained or that leads to unrighteousness. It’s not inherently evil, but it has a dangerous tendency to capture our hearts and demand our ultimate devotion.
When Jesus says 'You cannot serve God and money,' he's highlighting that money, as a system and a goal, sets itself up as a rival master. It promises security, satisfaction, and control – things that should only be found in God. Trying to serve both means dividing your ultimate trust and allegiance, which, as we saw, is impossible.
If serving two masters is impossible, what does it mean to truly serve God? Jesus' teaching points to an essential requirement: undivided devotion.
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, stating, 'No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money,' reinforcing the absolute dichotomy Jesus presents between serving God and serving wealth.
Galatians 1:10Paul echoes this sentiment, highlighting the impossibility of pleasing both God and people, which is conceptually similar to serving two masters. He declares, 'For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.'
James 4:4James makes a strong statement about divided loyalties, directly linking friendship with the world (a form of serving money) to being an enemy of God, which aligns with the impossibility of serving two masters.
Joshua 24:14-15Joshua's challenge to the Israelites to 'choose this day whom you will serve' directly addresses the choice between serving God and serving other gods (analogous to money in Luke), emphasizing the need for a wholehearted commitment.
1 Samuel 12:20-21Samuel warns the people against turning away from God to follow worthless idols (which can represent the allure of worldly possessions), stating, 'Do not fear; you have indeed done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after vain things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are false.'
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 doesn't just say you can't serve both God and money; he explains why it's impossible by detailing the necessary emotional conflict. If you're devoted to one, you'll inevitably end up despising or hating the other because their demands are fundamentally opposed. This isn't about multitasking; it's about the core allegiance of your heart.
Jesus has just told a parable about a dishonest steward, which has made the Pharisees, who are lovers of money, scoff. In response, Jesus directly addresses his disciples, emphasizing that true discipleship demands an absolute commitment, making it impossible to serve both God and wealth. This declaration immediately follows the parable and the Pharisees' reaction, highlighting the stark contrast between worldly priorities and the demands of God's kingdom.
Jesus has just told a parable about a dishonest steward, which has made the Pharisees, who are lovers of money, scoff. In response, Jesus directly addresses his disciples, emphasizing that true discipleship demands an absolute commitment, making it impossible to serve both God and wealth. This declaration immediately follows the parable and the Pharisees' reaction, highlighting the stark contrast between worldly priorities and the demands of God's kingdom.
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The core of Jesus' message is a call to exclusive allegiance. God doesn't want a part-time servant; He desires our whole heart.
This concept of undivided service is crucial. When we try to split our loyalties between God and money, we compromise the very nature of true worship. As the Cambridge commentary notes, 'God requires a whole heart and an undivided service.' Anything less is a form of spiritual compromise.
Trying to serve both masters leads to a divided life, where our actions and affections are in conflict. The parable that follows this verse illustrates this: the rich man tried to serve both God (by observing rituals) and mammon (by indulging in luxury), and the result was a tragic eternal consequence. True service to God means recognizing Him as the supreme authority and allowing His will to shape our priorities, our resources, and our very lives.
"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 doesn't just say you can't serve both God and money; he explains why it's impossible by detailing the necessary emotional conflict. If you're devoted to one, you'll inevitably end up despis…
