Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Many scholars believe that Jesus had certain teachings that He would regularly repeat to various crowds and under various circumstances. That’s why Luke 16:13 and Matthew 6:24 are almost identical even though they occur in very different moments of Jesus' life and ministry. Neither Gospel writer is wrong about when He spoke these words. Jesus likely said this line many times throughout His ministry, which is important for us to recognize because that means He really wanted to make sure it was rooted deep in the minds of His followers.

No servant 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. - Luke 16:13/Matthew 6:24.

Same line, different context. In our reading for today, Luke attaches this teaching directly to faithfulness. Specifically pointing out that riches and righteousness go hand and hand. Not in a sense that righteousness will equal riches, but that righteousness can be seen in the use of riches. In a real practical sense Jesus is forcing us to consider: Am I managing my money in a way that honors God?

Here are some ways to reflect on our faithfulness with earthly resources:

1. Am I Generous?

• God blesses us so we can be a blessing. Do we give joyfully to others, whether through tithing, helping those in need, or supporting kingdom work? Or do we cling tightly to what we have, fearing we won’t have enough? Faithfulness means trusting God enough to be generous, even when we don’t have much.

2. Am I Honest?

• Do we handle money with integrity? Do we pay our debts, report our income truthfully, and make business deals fairly? Jesus said that if we are dishonest with little, we will be dishonest with much. Small financial compromises reveal whether we can be trusted with greater things.
  

3. Am I a Good Steward?

• Faithfulness isn’t just about giving—it’s also about how we manage what we keep. Are we wise with our spending? Do we live within our means, avoid unnecessary debt, and use our resources in ways that glorify God? Stewardship means making financial decisions that reflect Godly priorities, not just personal comfort.
  

4. Am I Serving Money or Serving God?

• Back to our main statement. "You cannot serve God and money.” Our faithfulness with wealth isn’t just about how we use it, but about whether it controls us. Do we place our security in money, or do we trust God to provide? Do we pursue financial success more than we pursue God’s kingdom?
  

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship

As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.