Daily Devotional for Thursday, November 17

You Cannot Serve Two Masters

It had been the prettiest house he had ever seen. It was not just the fresh paint or the fashionable furniture. There was an air about it that seemed clean, fresh, perhaps even elegant. That had been a long time ago. Now, mold set up in corners, walls cracked, floors peeled, and a dumpster was the only suitable location for the couch. 

Time ticks by and for many of the world’s inhabitants, the daily pursuit is security. It is represented by the acquisition of things or skills valued by others or yourself. Solomon, the great king of Israel, noted that the pursuit of all of this results in emptiness. “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Just as Jesus noted the corruption of things eaten by moth and rust in Matthew 6:19, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal,” James said life was like a vapor in James 4:14, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Possession and talent, even the ability to work is here one minute and gone the next. 

God offers a choice of masters because you cannot serve two. One is the pursuit of security outside of God’s will for your life. This cruel master is dark and unstable. The other is God who is eternal. He never gets old, never gets used up. He is incorruptible, safe and secure. He would care for even the smallest of the birds, and He will care for you, His servant, even more. 

REFLECTION: Will you serve God as your only Master?

David Thompson