What Does Matthew 6:24 Mean?
Matthew 6:24 describes Jesus teaching that no one can serve two masters - either God or money. He makes it clear: if we try to follow both, we’ll end up loving one and ignoring the other. Our loyalty must be fully with God, not divided by the love of wealth.
Matthew 6:24
"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.
Key Facts
Book
Author
Matthew
Genre
Gospel
Date
circa 80-90 AD
Key People
Key Takeaways
- You cannot fully serve God and money at the same time.
- True loyalty to God means trusting Him over wealth.
- Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.
Context of Matthew 6:24
This verse comes near the end of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, where He’s helping His followers understand what it truly means to live God’s way.
Right before this, Jesus talks about not storing up treasures on earth but in heaven, saying our hearts will follow where our treasure is. He also uses the image of the eye being a lamp - meaning if we focus on the right things, our whole life is guided by God’s light.
So when He says we can’t serve both God and money, He’s making a clear choice: our loyalty and trust must belong to God alone, not divided by the love of wealth.
Meaning of 'Serve Two Masters' in Jesus' Teaching
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:24 is a straightforward warning: we can’t fully commit to both God and money because loyalty to one will always push out loyalty to the other.
In Jesus’ time, money and security were deeply tied to honor and social standing, so choosing God over wealth was a radical call to revalue what truly mattered. The word 'serve' here refers to total devotion, not work, like a servant wholly dedicated to one master.
This truth leads directly into His next point: if our hearts are set on God, we won’t need to worry about food, clothes, or tomorrow, because He will provide.
The Call to Single-Hearted Loyalty
Jesus’ warning against serving two masters leads to a clear practical takeaway: true faith means wholehearted trust in God, not divided loyalty.
When He says, 'Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you' (Matthew 6:33), He’s inviting us to live with open hands - caring less about storing up wealth and more about following God’s ways. This is not only about money. It concerns where we place our trust, time, and hope.
Our loyalty to God means trusting Him enough to let go of money’s grip.
The choice is ongoing: each day, we decide whether we’re living for temporary security or eternal purpose. And that decision shapes everything - from how we give, to how we worry, to how we pray.
Matthew 6:24 in the Wider Bible Story
This same warning about divided loyalty appears elsewhere in the Gospels, showing how central it is to Jesus’ message about the kingdom of God.
In Luke 16:13, Jesus says, 'No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.' This repeats Matthew 6:24 almost word for word, emphasizing that following God means full commitment, not compromise.
Jesus makes it clear: our trust belongs to God alone, not split with wealth.
Like the Old Testament called Israel to worship God alone, Jesus calls His followers to single‑hearted devotion, placing trust in God rather than money as the true provider and master of life.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember a season when I was working overtime, chasing a promotion, and constantly checking my bank account - thinking it would bring peace. But the more I gained, the more anxious I felt, like I was running a race with no finish line. After rereading Matthew 6:24, I realized I was not only busy with work - I was serving it. My worry, my time, my energy were all pointing to money as my provider, not God. When I started asking, 'Where is my loyalty really going?' everything shifted. I began giving more generously, worrying less about tomorrow, and praying with real trust. It wasn’t about going broke - it was about letting God be my true Master. And slowly, I found a peace no paycheck could buy.
Personal Reflection
- Where am I currently giving my time or worry in a way that shows money has more control than God?
- When was the last time I made a financial decision based on trust in God rather than fear of lack?
- How does my giving, saving, or spending reveal who I’m really serving?
A Challenge For You
This week, choose a practical way to demonstrate loyalty to God over money: give away something you’ve been holding tightly, or spend a full day without checking your bank account or making a purchase, to practice trusting God with your provision.
A Prayer of Response
God, I admit it’s easy to let money quietly take Your place in my heart. Forgive me for the times I’ve worried more than I’ve trusted. Help me see that You are my true Provider. Give me courage to live with open hands, putting You first in how I use my time, my money, and my life. I want to serve You alone. Amen.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Matthew 6:21
Prepares for verse 24 by teaching that our heart follows where we place our treasure.
Matthew 6:25
Follows verse 24 by urging freedom from anxiety, showing what trusting God looks like practically.
Connections Across Scripture
Deuteronomy 6:5
Commands wholehearted love for God, forming the Old Testament foundation for undivided devotion.
Colossians 3:5
Equates greed with idolatry, showing that serving money is ultimately serving a false god.
Hebrews 13:5
Calls believers to be free from the love of money, trusting God's promise to never leave.