In Matthew 6:24, Yeshua (Jesus) says that we can not serve two masters, that is, we can not serve God and mammon. The Tyndale Bible Dictionary says that, “mammon” is an Aramaic word, meaning wealth or property. In Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13, “mammon” is personified as a rival to God for the loyalty of the disciples.
In Matthew 6:33, Yeshua says that if we will seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, God will give us what we need.
That brings us to a very important question: Exactly what does it mean to seek first the kingdom of Yahweh, and His righteousness?
I have a very dear friend named John. I met John in high school, and we became very good friends. I love John like a brother. John has been on drugs since high school. Recently, John was given an ultimatum by his wealthy family: Get your life straight, and we will give you your inheritance, or keep doing drugs and lose it forever.
Last week, a friend and I drove John to rehab. It was a three day trip, and we had a real good time together.
John is beginning his new life, and he has some choices to make. Namely, John has to choose between seeking wealth or seeking the kingdom of Yahweh, and His righteousness. If John seeks wealth, he will merely be trading one bondage for another one. Wealth will enslave him, and change him in negative ways. If, however, John seeks Yahweh’s kingdom and righteousness, he will be free, and Yahweh will change him and make him fruitful and productive.
If John will accept Yeshua, Yeshua’s Spirit will enter his heart, and set up His kingdom in it. Then, if John will seek to live according to the dictates of King Yeshua, He will remove people, places and things from John’s life, and bring in new people places and things. John will then be seeking Yahweh’s kingdom.
Yeshua is righteous, and all His decisions are righteous. Yeshua is the Word of Yahweh made flesh. If John wishes to know Yeshua, he has to know the Word. If John will study the Word, and consume it, it will transform him into a new person, who will base all his decisions on the Word. Then, John will be seeking Yahweh’s righteousness.
In sum, John will live his life according to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, and the instructions of the Word of Yahweh, which will always agree with each other.
So, here is John’s choice (and our’s): seek first, money, power, and things, and empower them to rule over him and make him unhappy. Or seek first, the kingdom of Yahweh and His righteousness, and empower Yahweh to rule over him, and give him the money, power and things that he needs to walk out his calling, and be happy.
That only leaves one question unanswered: Namely, what will John (and each of us) choose to seek first?
Follow
