LOYALTY CANNOT BE DIVIDED

Matthew 6:24 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.

Loyalty is described as the faithful, dedicated devotion of one person to another. It can also be described as patriotism to a government, a cause, or a duty. Allegiance, fidelity, and homage are other words that can be used to describe loyalty. In the lesson text, loyalty is demonstrated as the dedication of a servant to their master. In preceding verses 19-21, we find all people of the world in two categories. In the first group are those that place their affections on earthly treasures, and in the second group we find those desiring to lay up treasures in heaven. The inference is that people in one group cannot effectively accomplish both goals. Jesus explains this to us in verse 2l saying, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. As it applies to laying up treasures, we conclude that loyalty cannot be divided.

The single eye, which Jesus refers to in verses 22-23 above, is another example proving that loyalty cannot be divided. The Psalmist wrote that ...the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress (Ps 123:2b). In other words, loyalty and devotion was in the single-minded eye of both the servant to his master, and the maiden to her mistress. This inspired teaching supports the lesson text and assures us that dual loyalty cannot exist - that is, no man (or woman) can serve two masters. The word translated as "master" often carries the meaning of "lord." Both words suggest one that has total control over the duties of servants. To be in complete service to two masters is impossible, since both masters would demand total allegiance. The lesson text suggests that a love or hate relationship will develop when the objects of one's affection are incompatible. And here, the incompatible objects are God and mammon. Mammon is a common word from an ancient language meaning wealth. Webster gives us this definition of mammon - riches regarded as an object of worship or greedy pursuit, and also the false god of riches and avarice. The gospel, as Luke recorded it, quotes Jesus reciting the same teaching as the lesson text, almost word for word. The verses immediate preceding Luke's record indicates that mammon is the riches of the world (Luke 16:13). Considering riches in a broader sense, mammon could include any earthly thing that mankind confides in or places their trust in.

In this portion of His "Sermon on the Mount," our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, teaches us that it is impossible to love and serve things of the world, whatever they may be, and, at the same time, love and serve God. With a covetous, worldly attitude, it is easy to make things of the world a "god," and, in doing so, void one's service to our Creator, the God of heaven and earth. When things of the world become idols of worship, we separate ourselves from God and jeopardize losing our souls. Notice what the great patriarch, Joshua wrote by God's inspiration. He certainly recognized that loyalty cannot be divided. His last admonition to the children of Israel before his death was: Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Josh. 24:14-15). Oh, that all mankind would possess the heart and mind of Joshua!

Herein lies the problem. Worldly treasures are available to mankind during one's physical life on earth. However the treasures of heaven are future rewards and can only be obtained in the life that comesafter physical death. The world, as a whole, is a society that demands immediate rewards. Satan's success in luring mankind away from God totally rests on the covetous desires of mankind. Jesus says that we can't have both. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Materialism, or mammon, will consume the life of all men and women whogive it the opportunity to do so. Do you serve God or mammon? In whom do you place your trust? Whom do you really love? The apostle John gives us the answer in words that cannot be misunderstood. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever (1 John 2:15-17). Loyalty cannot be divided: love and serve God!