Day 3: A Good Boss
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Transcript
Let’s say you’re at work one day, and you find out you’re going to have a new boss, and your company has decided to do something a little out of the ordinary. They’ve narrowed down the candidates to two people, and they are letting you interview both of them to see who you’d like your new boss to be.
You take this challenge head-on and interview the two people. One of the candidates tells you they’re going to demand long hours and constant attention and that every once in a while you'll be fulfilled, but it won’t last very long. The other candidate tells you that not only will you experience fulfillment, you’ll have a sense of purpose and also plenty of rest.
You’d obviously pick the second candidate to work for—you wouldn’t even want to work for the first one. However, we’re actually given that choice on a regular basis, and many of us choose the first candidate. Jesus spoke to that very topic.
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount:
“No one can serve two masters…. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Some translations say “money,” but the Greek word in the original text is actually a form of the word “mammon,” which relates to any sort of material possession, not just money.
Jesus was highlighting two perspectives. On one hand, we can view life from a very temporal perspective, where we give our energy and resources to things that don’t really matter or last. On the other hand, we can choose to invest our lives in what will outlive us—in things that will make a difference in the long run—even eternally.
When we pour our efforts into things with no lasting meaning, Jesus compared that to putting on a pair of glasses that are covered with mud—we’re not seeing clearly. He says that in Matthew chapter 6 right before he lays out the choice we all have—which boss we want—God or money.
Money makes a horrible master. When it controls us, we seek more and more but are never truly satisfied. Jesus is challenging anyone who’s listening: your ultimate allegiance lies in one place or the other—God or your possessions. Not both. Our hearts can only have one master, and it’s our choice as to which one it will be.
“Heavenly Father,
Clear my vision so that I see what truly matters. Keep me from chasing temporary things that won’t last, and let my life reflect what matters to you and your kingdom. Amen.”
