Two Masters

Matthew 6:19-24

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Do not treasure unto yourself the things of this earth but treasure the things of Heaven for these can never be taken away. Laying indicates rest or even sleep as a child does when it is secure. Jesus indicates if you makes this world and its' things your home, you may be disappointed or even heartbroken when thieves, decay, and even life itself eats them away. Knowing this, I can still rest because the things I value are kept in Heaven for me for it is my home. The things that make me at home are in fact in Heaven. So even though I am not yet where I am at home, I can still have rest.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Jesus speaks about a person's eyes right after discussing the focus of the person's heart and home. This seems to indicate that Heaven's vision is needed in order to see this by faith. The unhealthy eyes do not see from God's point of view; thus, they fail to see his perspective causing a person to overlook him. For in him is light and there is "no darkness at all" according to 1 John 1:5. The two masters also speak of the duality of God and Satan. There is an inherent conflict between the two kingdoms of Heaven and Hell. If you are serving yourself or merely money, then you are in fact serving the devil's purposes. That is not to say that working for money is sinful; the Lord knows "that you have need of all these things" in Matthew 6:32. He merely says in the preceding verses to lay not up "for yourselves treasures on earth." The focus of the heart guides the actions, the mind, the values, and even the words. This is the contrast between those of him and those who are not of him. Note, those who serve Christ may not always be rich. Working for earthly riches and rewards brings earthly rewards. You may only have Jesus; yet with him, all your riches are stored up in Heaven and will be given out to you as needed for all of eternity.

"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.

Jesus's words need no explanation. He speaks of serving two masters resulting in a divided heart and house. The result of both is destruction. You cannot serve both God and your past. You cannot serve God and black pride, white pride, or even worship at the altar of nationalism. You cannot serve the God of creation and live in fear. His presence casts down everything that is not of him.