You Cannot Serve God and Mammon

Friday, 22 June 2024. Readings: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25, Ps. 89:4-5,29-34, Matthew 6:24-34

“Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on.” (Matthew 6:25)

In yesterday’s Gospel passage, Jesus taught us to store treasures for ourselves in heaven, where neither moths, rust, nor thieves can break in or destroy them. You may lose money, but you can never lose kindness. The good you do for someone today will testify on your behalf before God when you stand before His judgment throne. (cf. Matthew 25:31-46). Today’s Gospel passage continues yesterday’s.

- Having taught us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, Jesus knew His listeners were questioning his teaching: “If we don’t store treasures on earth, where are we going to get money to feed, cater for our health, pay school fees for the kids, and take care of our bills such as electricity, house rent, medicals, and so on?” In response, Jesus assures us: “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33). In other words, God knows we need earthly treasures, but our pursuit of such treasures must not replace the worship of God.

- Jesus is not saying we should not work for our daily bread. Even the Psalmist declares: “By the labour of your hands, you shall eat. You shall be happy, and it will be well with you.” (Psalm 128:2). However, in working for your daily bread, be careful not to succumb to the temptation of bowing to the devil. Jesus says: “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 mammon.” (Matthew 6:24). One common example of bowing to the devil (serving mammon), is telling lies.

- Why tell a lie to make money? Why do you deceive your customers in your business place? Don’t you trust that God can provide for you? “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon was not arrayed like one of these in all his glory. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you?” (Matthew 6:26, 28-30). God is not so irresponsible that he doesn’t know your needs.

- The only reason we keep bowing to the devil for earthly riches is that we do not trust God. We do not believe in God’s providence. Stop being anxious about tomorrow. Entrust your life to God, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (all your heart’s desires) shall be yours.” (Matthew 6:33). Abram trusted God, and he obeyed the instruction to leave his fatherland to an unknown destination. He eventually became one of the wealthiest persons that ever lived. Again, when God tested him with Isaac, Abraham obeyed, and God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead. The Bible is filled with awe-inspiring stories of God’s providence. From the miraculous birth of children to barren women to the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the Nation of Israel when the Egyptians were chasing after them, to the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament, such as the feeding of five thousand with just five loaves and two fish, God continues to teach us a lesson in providence. Work hard to provide for your family, but know that you don’t have to do anything evil; God can provide for you.

- Today’s first reading continues the story of Joash, the young king who bit the hand that fed him. Despite all that the priest Jehoiada did to protect him from being slain by Athatliah, Joash failed to protect Zechariah, the son of Jehoida. Humans are naturally ungrateful. This is why only one leper (out of ten cured) returned to give thanks. Learn to be grateful. Another evil of King Joash was his support for the worship of idols. Under his watch, Israel served Asherim, abandoning the ways of God. Zachariah preached against idolatry, but instead of changing their ways, they killed Zachariah, who was only a voice of conscience. Nemesis caught up with Joash when the Syrian army, with only a few men, massacred down the great army of Judah. This is what becomes of us when we worship idols (when we replace God with money).

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach us to love you above everything else and to trust you with all our mind, heart and soul. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of week 11 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25, Ps. 89:4-5,29-34, Matthew 6:24-34).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu