SERVE WHOM OR WHAT

I was going to do a study in the Bible on the word ‘serve’ but stopped with the first verse that came up in my search list, Matthew 6:24. I began to do a study on a few of the words and this is what I found.

Matthew 6:24  "No one 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.

First I looked at the word ‘serve’ in the Strong’s concordance

#1398  Part of Speech: Verb  Transliteration: douleuó

Phonetic Spelling: (dool-yoo'-o)

Short Definition: I am a slave, am subject to, obey

Definition: I am a slave, am subject to, obey, am devoted.

(figuratively) to willingly give over the prerogative to be self-governing. See 1401 (doulos).

To serve something or someone makes me subject to them or to it. I am devoted to what I’m a slave to. I no longer govern myself.

‘money’  #3126  Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: mamónas

Phonetic Spelling: (mam-mo-nas')

Short Definition: riches, money, possessions

Definition: (Aramaic), riches, money, possessions, property.

126 mammōnás – a Semitic term for "the treasure a person trusts in" (J. Thayer) who is transliterated as "mammon."

Money in this verse isn’t just the cash we have it is what we trust in. It can be our possessions, what we ‘own’.

Matthew 6:24  "No one 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.

Now that you know what ‘serve’ and ‘money’ means in the Greek, would you say you are serving God with your whole heart? Or are you serving the cash in your pocket, your home or the games you play?

Don’t let the word ‘slave’ throw you off, ‘am devoted’ is also listed and it means – “Feeling or displaying strong affection or attachment”.

I don’t know about you but when I have a strong affection towards someone I desire to please them and therefore I ‘serve’ them.

Are you following me?

An example – I love (have a strong affection towards) my husband, therefore I desire to fix his coffee and serve it to him when he wakes every morning. I know that’s a small example but it helps make my point. I’m not doing it for selfish reasons, I truly want to ‘serve’ my husband in love and there are some awesome benefits of doing this type of serving J

If you haven’t already, you should take the time to check out all the benefits of serving our Father. They far outweigh anything cash, a home or a few games can give us in this life. In fact, the benefits are eternal.

Now on to the word ‘money’ - money, possessions, property

Often when we read this verse we think of cash, it’s a choice between God and cash, but that is not true. As you see in the Greek definition it is also possessions or property.

So now we have, are you going to serve God or cash, jewelry, games, house, food, tv and the list goes on.

We have a decision to make, what is yours? Will you serve your Creator or will you seek those things that are temporary?

Will you serve God with a devotion that just wants to lift Him up and show the world how wonderful He is? Or would you rather say you believe in God and then live like those in the world - chasing after selfish things that will break or rot away?

Have you replaced God and His power with a workshop, a prayer group, a counselor or a best friend? We need to know what God says in His Word so we do not place anything or anyone above Him. It is God who heals us, blesses us, gives us a way out when tempted, forgives us and shows us the way – the path He has for us and it’s to bring Him all the glory, honor and praise – it is to bring other people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I do not have anything against a good Bible based study, counselor, etc. What I do have a problem with is these places or people adding to or taking away from God’s Word. When it becomes a gossip, talk bad about other people, find the answer in you type of thing. Always make sure to check God’s Word against what you are being taught, don’t just take someone’s word for it. And if they talk bad about other people, encourage you to feel sorry for them instead of helping them live according to God’s Word – run!! There is power in God’s Word and in our lives when we seek Him with all our soul, heart and mind.

I say these things because I’ve been there and stayed there with no victory – sympathy did not give me victory or the strength to overcome – but those that taught/teach Truth and gave me their faith, and God’s Word to live by – then I began to have victory through Jesus Christ…..I’m moving forward.

Carrying an Offense?

The Bait of Satan

By

John Bevere

I’m doing a study using this book and even though I’m only on Chapter 3, I highly recommend your prayerfully get and go through this book with your spouse or get a group together at your church.

One of the first things that stood out was in the ‘Preface’:

…..”it was not these miracles that pushed them to the brink of doubt. No, that challenge would come later toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus had instructed His disciples, “If your brother sins against you…..seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.’ Their immediate response to Him was. ‘INCREASE OUR FAITH’ (Luke 17:3-5)”.

Then Mr. Bevere continues:

Jesus said, “It is impossible that no offenses should come” (Luke 17:1)

“It is not a question of opportunity to be offended, but what your response will be.”

How many marriages fall apart because one or both hold an offense? How many children walk away from the parents or siblings that love them as only family can – because of an offense? How many times will it take for a person to say they are sorry and ask for your forgiveness before you will quit playing God and allow Him to work through you? You are not just hurting the person you are holding an offense for, you are hurting yourself which will cause you to react in certain ways or hide yourself behind alcohol (getting drunk) or drugs (you just want to feel ‘happy’) or ….well you name it.

One of the testimonies in this book should bring encouragement to many married couples, whether you are married to a believer or non-believer.

“….He was unsaved and wanted nothing to do with the church. Someone put a copy of ‘The Bait of Satan’ in my hands. I read it and, within a short time, was completely set free from offense and bitterness. WHEN MY HUSBAND SAW THE CHANGES in my life, he surrendered his life to the lordship of Jesus Christ and stopped the divorce proceedings.”

Another testimony:

“….I hated my mother for abandoning me…..I realized I had to go to her and forgive…….Now the wall that separated me from God’s presence is gone!”

Now that’s just part of the Preface, can you imagine what the rest of the book is going to be like? Are you ready to take a chance and open yourself up to Truth? To allow God to show you where you are holding on to an offense?

Can you truly say you have never offended anyone? Have you complained about someone behind their back instead of going to them? Then you probably offended them and I’m sure you want them to forgive you and not carry that offense out.

I guess what I’m asking – what makes you greater than someone else that you don’t have to forgive? What makes you special enough that you can carry an offense and discredit them to your friends and family?

Is that placing yourself above God? Is that really where you want to be?

I know I don’t want to place myself above God, if you know anything about what He says in His Word then you know that’s not a good place to be.

I’m actually thankful I’ve let go of many offenses before reading this book. I believe there are a few hidden ones and that is why God has placed this in my hands to study. It may ‘feel’ and be uncomfortable but I want God’s blessings and I want to be a blessing so I’m willing to spend time in prayer, this book and check it against God’s Word – then do what the Lord instructs.

I just may continue sharing as I go through the chapters and what He is showing me – what do you think? Would you like to follow along?

There is nothing to fear, God wants us set free to live the abundant life He has promised, all we have to do is admit our sin, listen to how He wants us to make it right and then move forward in His strength, giving Him all the glory, honor and praise.

You can purchase this book at amazon.com  or check it out from your local library. 

You can also sign up to trade your paperback books here - 

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