Thank you for the interpretative question on Matthew 6:24, “What does the Lord mean when he said this, “You cannot serve both Go and mammon”?”
In seeking to understand a verse or passage, reading the broader context/verses may help one come to an understanding of the passage. That understanding needs to be confirm by other passages to avoid misinterpreting a verse or passage.
The broader context of Matthew 6:24 is this, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (NIV).
Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration in understanding Matthew 6:24:
A. Jesus presents two alternatives on one’s treasure: storing up treasures on earth or storing up treasures in heaven (vs. 19a, 20a).
B. Jesus presents two affects on one’s treasures: treasures on earth can be stolen/lost or treasures in heaven can’t be stolen or lost (vs. 19b, 20b).
C. Jesus presents two effects on one’s treasures: devoted to earth’s treasure or devoted heavenly treasure (vs. 24a).
D. Jesus presents two paths on one’s life treasure or purpose: serving God on earth or cumulating wealth on wealth (vs. 24c).
Jesus highlights that the tangible outward actions of a person reflects the inward in feelings of a person’s toward that object. One can’t have a foot in this world and the other foot in the world. One can’t have one hand serving God and the other hand making more wealth. Eventually one’s hand will be immersed in one or another.
Jesus is reminding the listeners that they are to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. God is not just to have the first place. There is to be no second place at all.
The Apostle John echoes these words in I John 5, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever (NIV).
The text is not saying that one can’t have possessions in this world. Jesus is saying that his followers are to serve God or serving money or gaining material possessions. It is seeking the Kingdom of God and his righteousness first, trusting God to provide for one’s daily needs.
SUMMARY: Whatever one loves, that is the person or object that one will serve.
For further insight and conversation: