Jesus was addressing his disciples (1). However, it appears that some Pharisees were also in the crowd (14). They were wolves in sheep’s clothing, sneering as Jesus taught.
Jesus stated, “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (13). Oh, they did not like that. Why? Because they loved money. They self-justified their love of money. Jesus pointed out that God knew their heart. While they loved money, God detested it for people like the Pharisees love money more than God.
How can I tell what I love? Where is my zeal? What is my passion? Where are my thoughts? What do I desire? What do I spend my time doing? Self-deception is easy? Will I be honest with myself? Or will I be like the Pharisees and justify myself?
The words of the prophet Malachi are true about people who love money. They say to themselves, “It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly, the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.” However, those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. ‘They will be mine, my treasured possession, in the day when I act’ says the Lord Almighty…” (Malachi 3:14-17)
