Serve One Master Series

Theme: Serve one Master

Text: Luke 16:13-15

Greetings:

Introduction:

This chapter has four valuable things for us to learn: Children of this world are wiser than children of light (Luke 16:8), Material possessions used for eternal friendships (Luke 16:9), faithful in a small task makes fitness for a larger one (Luke 16:10-11), and No slave can serve two masters. (Barclay). We will meditate under the theme: “Serve One Master”. I like to share with you all: what does it mean to serve two masters, serve one master, and serve as a Trustworthy servant.

1. Serving Two Masters (Luke 16:13)

The present world is familiar with the word known as Part-time, freelancer and self-employed. Almost they are accustomed to working with and serving many masters in this modern world. Freelancer is committed to none. He tries to be the master of himself, muster wealth by multiple ways and means in life. They are masters of their time, energy, money and everything they have. There is no place for loyalty, completeness and reward. They are tuned to the immediate result for then and there. Homer said: ‘If you serve too many masters, you’ll soon suffer’.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: `No man 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.' (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). To simultaneously tend to or support or devote oneself to two different—often conflicting—responsibilities, pursuits, ideas, or people is known as Serving Two masters. Serve two masters means taking orders from two superiors or following two conflicting or opposing principles or policies at one time.

According to Ellicott: Jesus meant that no one could be the slave of two masters. He further says that a man who loves the world will hate the service of God in his inmost heart and will do the lips-service to God. The word ‘Mammon’ means “money” or “riches,” in Syriac (Luke 16:9).

According to theologian Doddridge, Mammon refers to the god of wealth among the Greeks and this god was worshipped in Syria and other nations. Jerome and Augustine used the word mammon in their commentaries because they were familiar with it.

Commentator Benson elaborates that both the masters have their interests and priorities contrary to each other. It is difficult to divide equally the heart into two masters. Mammon generally refers to external advantages, such as riches, authority, honour, power for men. They put their trust in them and strive for them rather than to please God, and have trust in Him.

Matthew Henry says that worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy. Therefore, the worldly man is wrong in his first principle; therefore all his reasonings and actions therefrom must be wrong.

Albert Barnes: If a man serves two masters his affections and obedience would be divided, and he would fail altogether in his duty to one or the other. So he will have the supreme affections fixed on only one person. So, says Jesus, the servant of God cannot at the same time obey him and be avaricious, or seek treasures supremely on earth.

According to Expositor’s: In the natural sphere a slave can't serve two masters, for each claims him as his property, and the slave must respond to one or other of the claims with entire devotion, either from love or from interest. He has to do the honest preference to the one. Love that master who purchased him and treats him well and good. They are rival masters. They are not serving in one firm, serving for one goal and purpose. Therefore, it is impossible to serve two masters.

2. Serve One Master (Luke 16:14)

Jesus taught the status of a man who wants to serve God and Satan. They are impossible dreams and incompatible. Therefore decide to serve Jesus, the one master. The world has found a word known as being diplomatic. Merriam Webster defines it as ‘employing tact and conciliation especially in situations of stress. Tact means ‘a keen sense of what to do or say to maintain relations with others or avoid offence’.

Knowing the ground reality and the impact of one being employed at two places, Jesus told that “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Dr Thomason Constable comments that Jesus taught two things through this parable: “One was the importance of faithfulness in our work spots/companies/government agencies. Second was the importance of undivided loyalty to Jesus”.

Here the notable verbs are ‘Hate and Love’, ‘Devoted and Despised’. Jesus implied that we have to love and be devoted to one, hate and despise the other. We need to love Jesus and God. We need to hate the deeds of Satan. The clarion call is to Serve one Master.