WEDNESDAY March 25, 2020
Who Will You Serve?
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24
Jesus continued to press the point about material gain. He shared with those who gathered to Him that they could not serve God or material things––two masters. Either God is number one, or you are being controlled by your material possessions. This can also apply to people.
In the late seventies, pastors changed their philosophies. Instead of placing God first, they neglected to serve Him by not participating in church activities. They believed God would have them spend more time with their wives. The church––the body of Christ––was not cared for––and nothing was being accomplished for the kingdom of God. I know married couples who stay by each other’s sides day and night. They never go anywhere without their spouse.
I do not see that in the Scriptures. The Word of God instructs husbands to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25), but at the same time, a Christian’s main concern is with the principles of eternity. There has to be a balance between family and serving the Lord. As you look at your priorities, everything needs to fit perfectly.
When I study God’s word, it brings me great fulfillment. Nothing else fulfills me, not even my wife, and I love being with my wife! Yet she does not fulfill me in the same way Jesus fulfills me. Jesus brings peace into my life. I have the most satisfaction when I am praying and seeking the Lord. I like my privacy––I love it when I am alone with God.
Yes, husbands have a responsibility to be with their wives and other people, but our wives cannot become our idols. What if God took away your wife? God has given me a mission––to preach the Gospel to the whole world. That is the most important thing in my whole life. If you are not in harmony with what God has said to do, then you are missing the point.
The devil loves it when we say we believe then prioritize everything in our lives ahead of God.
~A. W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!