Read: Matthew 6:22-24
"No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money. (Matthew 6:24 ESV)
Have you ever found yourself facing a tough decision only to realize that money is playing a major factor in how you make that decision? If your life is anything like mine, that happens. Sometimes it can be a horrible feeling.
Jesus cautioned his followers about the deceptive allure of following money as a master. His blunt statement is absolutely true. It is impossible to serve God, and your bank account or bottom line.
Personally, some of my most challenging god-moments have involved money matters. I can't help but feel like this is a direct attempt by God to lead me away from any kind of material idolatry. Those kinds of experiences are not easy. I wish I could say that I have always succeeded. The truth is that I haven't.
However, turning over every aspect of my life to God means giving Him control of my check book too. It means submitting my spending habits, savings plans, and lifestyle choices to His high standards. It can be, and has been daunting. It is a process my wife and I have been intentionally working through over the last couple of years, and it has led to some pretty cool stuff, both in terms of Spiritual and material blessing. We never want anyone to say that we served anything other than God.