No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
You can't work for two bosses at the same time, you'll end up loving one and hating the other, or being loyal to one while secretly resenting the other. You literally cannot serve both God and money.
Pick a lane, you can chase God or chase money, but you can't do both.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, this verse addresses the common human tendency to prioritize wealth and material possessions over spiritual commitments, as people in first-century Israel under Roman rule often faced economic pressures that tempted them to serve money. Jesus, speaking to a Jewish audience familiar with the Old Testament's emphasis on undivided loyalty to God, used everyday examples of servitude to illustrate this spiritual truth. This teaching fits into the broader narrative of Matthew's Gospel, which portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of God's kingdom.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.