Who's the boss?

If you ever have had the unfortunate experience of having two bosses at work, you know that opposing supervisory forces can make the work day a continual struggle of conflicting priorities and miscommunication.

Yet when it comes to values, that's the way many people live. They try to go in two directions at the same time.

God and riches can be like two bosses, each demanding your allegiance. Perhaps no other spiritual struggle is as intense as this one. It is a struggle between two needs -- God and money -- and where to place our faith.

Some place it in money. Some place it in God.

Still others try to divide their faith between the two.

Jesus lets people know that this is not possible. We must choose to serve one or the other.

"No one can serve two masters, for you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." [Luke 16.13]

Money tests us at every turn. The way we earn it, the way we spend it, and the way we give it away all reveal who or what rules our heart.

If we serve money, we will live for it and try to get it at all costs. But if we serve God, we will be honest in how we earn money, shrewd in how we spend it, and generous in how we give it.

God wants your love and loyalty. He will not share what is rightfully his with anything or anyone.

Do not fool yourself -- you can't serve both God and money. Sooner or later you have to choose one over the other. Which will you choose??

As you think about this, ask God to reveal your values, to show where your allegiance is.

# The One Through the Bible devotional # by Dave Veerman