You Can’t Have Both

Jesus’ words, “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 mammon” (Matthew 6:24), speak powerfully to the divided heart of humanity. The term “mammon” in this verse doesn’t refer to just money, but rather to the entire system of values associated with wealth—power, status, control, and self-sufficiency. It embodies the materialistic worldview that prioritizes earthly wealth and security. This scripture highlights that there is a fundamental incompatibility between serving God and serving wealth. When Jesus says, “You cannot serve both God and mammon,” He is drawing a sharp line: it’s one or the other. There’s no middle ground. You can't have both.

At the heart of this teaching is the principle that human beings are not capable of fully giving their hearts to both God and the pursuit of wealth. If wealth becomes the driving force in one’s life, it inevitably crowds out the love and devotion that should be given to God. As Jesus goes on to explain in Matthew 6, He warns, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

The focus here isn’t merely on wealth but on where one's heart is directed. Jesus makes a profound statement: our hearts will always follow our treasure. The things we prioritize and pour our time, resources, and energy into are the things that will dominate our affections. If earthly wealth becomes our treasure, it will lead our hearts into a cycle of endless desire and dissatisfaction. But if our treasure is in heaven, our hearts are aligned with God’s eternal purposes. This shift in focus represents the difference between living for the temporary things of this world and living for eternal, unshakable truths.

The concept of treasure in heaven aligns with the broader teachings of Jesus, who calls His followers to radical reorientation in their values. In Matthew 19:21, when the rich young ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answers, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Jesus’ command to this man illustrates the challenge of wealth in the pursuit of God. It’s not that wealth is inherently evil, but when wealth becomes the central focus, it blocks the path to full devotion to God. The rich young ruler’s refusal to part with his wealth shows how difficult it can be for anyone to relinquish earthly treasures in pursuit of something greater. Jesus further emphasizes this difficulty when He says, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23). This highlights the spiritual obstacle wealth can present—it doesn’t just require physical surrender; it requires a heart that is willing to forsake comfort, security, and control for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), where a man enjoys great prosperity and plans to store up his wealth in larger barns. He says to himself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God’s response is stark: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:19-20). This parable serves as a warning against the false security that wealth can offer. The man was so focused on securing his own future with earthly wealth that he failed to consider the fleeting nature of life and the eternal realities that should have been his focus. The parable reveals that wealth, though valuable in a temporal sense, is ultimately transient. No matter how much someone amasses, it all ends when life does. And so the true question is: How does one live in light of eternity?

This is a recurring theme in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, offers a sobering reminder in 1 Timothy 6:6-10: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Paul points out the destructive power of the love of money, which isn’t just about possessing wealth, but about allowing that desire to control and direct life. This desire to accumulate more wealth leads to dangerous temptations—greed, envy, self-reliance, and selfishness. Paul’s warning echoes Jesus’ teachings: if the pursuit of wealth becomes one’s primary goal, it has the potential to lead to spiritual ruin.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:11-13) provides an example of a different kind of mindset. Paul says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” In these verses, Paul illustrates the contentment that comes from a heart fixed on Christ, rather than on the ever-changing circumstances of wealth. Whether in abundance or in need, Paul’s focus remained on Christ. His contentment was not found in material wealth, but in his relationship with Jesus. This is a powerful contrast to the love of money that Paul warned against earlier.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 is also supported by a larger scriptural perspective that underscores the fleeting nature of material things. In 1 John 2:15-17, John writes, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 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. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” This passage brings to light how the values associated with wealth and the world—comfort, status, pride—are temporary. They may bring satisfaction in the moment, but they are fleeting. A life that chases after these things will ultimately fade, while a life focused on the will of God has eternal significance.

Jesus also uses the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) to illustrate how wealth can be a hindrance to spiritual growth. He describes how the seed, representing the Word of God, falls among thorns, and the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, making it unfruitful. The “deceitfulness of riches” refers to the way wealth can deceive people into thinking that it will satisfy them, leading them to neglect the life-giving Word of God. Wealth and its worries have the power to crowd out spiritual fruitfulness, leaving hearts barren.

The conclusion of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:24 is clear: we cannot split our loyalty between God and wealth. Wealth demands complete devotion, asking for our full trust, dependence, and love. But God alone is worthy of such devotion. Jesus calls us to a different kind of treasure, one that is eternal and unshakable. In Matthew 6:33, He commands, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When God is prioritized above all else, everything else falls into its proper place. Our wealth should be seen as a tool to serve God’s purposes, not as a means to compete for our devotion.

In the end, Jesus’ teachings on money and mammon reveal a profound truth: it’s not the amount of wealth someone has, but the posture of their heart that matters. If wealth is seen as a tool to serve God’s purposes, it remains in its rightful place. But when wealth becomes the focus, it competes with God for our devotion and, ultimately, leads us away from His purposes. Jesus doesn’t ask for part of our hearts; He demands all of it. A life devoted to God and His kingdom means that earthly wealth is held lightly, knowing that our true treasure is found in Him.

Thus, the call is clear: choose where your treasure lies. Will it be in the fleeting things of this world, or in the eternal riches of God’s Kingdom? The answer shapes not only one’s present life but determines eternal destiny.

In today’s world, the same tension that Jesus described between God and mammon continues to unfold, particularly in the lives of the wealthy and super-wealthy. Many of the richest individuals of our time often seem to live as though wealth and success are the ultimate goals. There’s an overwhelming drive to accumulate as much as possible, sometimes at the expense of faith, ethics, or community. This focus on wealth above all else is not only a modern phenomenon but reflects a deeper, ongoing battle between devotion to materialism and devotion to God.

The current obsession with wealth in many parts of the world often manifests in the lifestyles of the super-rich. These individuals—many of whom have more than enough wealth to meet their basic needs for multiple generations—often focus their energy on expanding their empires and acquiring more for the sake of status, control, and influence. They may not be openly denying God, but their priorities and investments often demonstrate a life devoted to wealth rather than to spiritual growth or kingdom values.

Take, for instance, the vast number of billionaires who amass fortunes while others suffer in poverty. Many of these wealthy individuals channel significant amounts of money into maintaining their power and influence, acquiring more luxury, and protecting their own interests. The pursuit of luxury, control, and dominance often takes center stage in their lives. They’re deeply invested in maintaining their position at the top, often constructing empires that focus on self-interest rather than collective well-being. In doing so, they inadvertently place wealth in a position of godlike importance, serving mammon rather than God. Their identities are often tied to their wealth, and everything they do revolves around preserving and increasing that wealth, which detracts from any genuine focus on spiritual matters.

The recent phenomenon of “philanthrocapitalism” offers another window into this mindset. While some billionaires use their wealth for charitable causes, the underlying motivation often includes gaining social influence and personal brand enhancement, rather than a true desire to serve others in a Christlike manner. As Jesus pointed out in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-4), acts of charity should be done in secret, not to gain recognition or praise from men. The danger here is that wealth becomes a means of self-glorification rather than an avenue to honor God and serve those in need. When philanthropy becomes about self-image or public relations, it no longer fulfills the biblical call to help the poor and the needy without expecting anything in return.

In contrast, Jesus challenges this mindset in Matthew 19:23-24, where He says, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” These words underscore the great danger wealth poses when it becomes the primary focus in life. The riches of this world have a powerful ability to seduce people into thinking that they are self-sufficient, powerful, and even invincible. As a result, they often fail to see their need for God and His grace. In their hearts, mammon has become the master.

In contrast, Jesus’ call remains the same: “You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). The pursuit of wealth may promise security, status, and control, but it can never satisfy the deepest longings of the human soul. The love of money will always lead to emptiness, dissatisfaction, and spiritual danger. Jesus is inviting us to a different kind of life—a life that treasures the eternal over the temporary, the heavenly over the earthly. He offers a treasure that never fades, a relationship with God that transforms our hearts, and a purpose that outlasts any amount of wealth.

Ultimately, where we place our treasure will shape not just our lives here on earth, but also our eternal destiny. Let us strive to set our hearts on the treasures of God's kingdom, knowing they are unshakable and eternal.