We can't have both the worlds

Lately, I have been on my spiritual journey and the best part of this is that it calms the storm within me. As I am moving along with my theology, I do come across some temptations and unnecessary distractions. Remembering my past work, which was managing clubs, I think of it as works of Satan. How? Why? We will discuss that more deeply here, as the title of the blog is "We can't have both worlds."

We live in a fast pace world and we celebrate wealth and this wealth defines our success. I am not saying earning good money is a bad thing or being successful is against God but I think there is something more God is trying to tell us. As far as the title is concerned, we can't have both worlds: one day dancing and drinking in a club and another day praying at church. 

“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." Matthew 6:24 

Notice in Mathew's Chapter 6, verse 24, he doesn't say, "You shouldn't serve two masters" but "No one can serve" it's a hard line. It's a choice. It's a spiritual turn for an individual. For understanding it in more detail you can take a look at my other blog, The Servant King: Lessons from the Gospel of Matthew

The Illusion of Dual Allies

We always convince ourselves that we can manage stuff: faith and wealth, soul and repute. That we can work and earn on weekdays and seek God on weekends or in quiet moments. But did you ever think serving money takes your heart, dedication, efforts, and time, and so does serving God. One will always be a priority.

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith..." Timothy 6:10 (Paul)

Understand this: God doesn't condemn money but he knows it's seductive power. Money sometimes becomes our master and we forget who we are. Sometimes bringing a lot of money to the table takes us into a delusion that we are bigger than God and other humans with low wages become peasants to one.

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

These verses about money are not once in a life time choices; there are everyday choices. We have to constantly ask ourselves, Will I follow peace or pressure? What's my priority, my salary or my soul? Will I be seeking god's kingdom or this rat culture?. As far as I am reading Bible I understand god doesn't want us to abandon earning or financial growth, but he is just asking us to re-center our lives. Yes, money is important to survive and live good but not more valuable then life. We can save lives with money by spending that in the hospital and charity but with no amount of money can we buy life or a moment?

Final Thoughts

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2

Money is made to serve us and we are made to serve God. no matter what religion you practice, God is the ultimate goal and truth. I understand the generation and country we live in; it's terrible, but still, money is a good thing; we have to use it well and not bow in front of it. Because we were created by an eternity, not by an economy.