In the Word on Wednesday: Matthew 6:24

I took tennis for a semester in high school. Although I was never very good at it, I did learn a few things about how the game is (supposed to be) played.

For instance, I learned that you can only serve one ball at a time. Not only would it be against the rules for a player to try and hit two balls simultaneously to the other side of the court, but I don’t believe it would be very effective, either. Most likely, neither ball would end up where you wanted it to go.

The same is true when it comes to serving God. To be effective, we must maintain a singular focus. If you try to serve God and serve something else at the same time, you won’t do a very good job at either.

Which brings me to our memory verse for this week:

“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.” (Matthew 6:24)

Notice, this verse does not say you cannot simultaneously serve God and make money. You can serve God while doing a variety of things, including earning a living.

My husband serves God through working as a physician, through providing for our family, and through investing in causes he believes in.

I serve God through teaching my children, cooking meals for my family, cleaning my house, volunteering in my community, and even writing this blog.

But the motivational drive behind all these various activities and involvements is — or should be — to glorify HIM.

As long as serving God is our focus, our actions and decisions in all other areas will reflect that end goal.

If we shift our focus onto something else, if we make something other than glorifying God our priority, if we work toward some other objective instead, then our actions and decisions will reflect that fact, as well.

Sometimes such a shift in focus can happen so gradually that we don’t immediately realize it’s occurred.

This verse is a reminder to examine ourselves: What am I doing? And why am I doing it?

Whom am I serving — God or someone/something else? We can’t serve two masters simultaneously. We’ve got to pick one and stick with it.

“Choose you this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 25:15)

This week’s memory verse can be found in the second set of our Scripture Memory Flashcards:

[click on image to print]

And for extra practice, I’ve made more handwriting printables, as well:

[click on image to print]

Plus, in case you missed them, here are links to the first set of flashcards and practice sheets, too:

• Scripture Memory Cards – Set 1
• Memory Verse Copywork – Set 1

May God honor your efforts to hide His word in your heart!