GOD and mammon

 

Matthew 6:24

King James Version

24 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. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The LORD's law is simple.

GOD, or mammon?

But who, or what is "mammon"?

Just to be clear, let's turn to Scripture.

And here's what other Bible versions say:

Matthew 6:24

Amplified Bible

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 mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

Matthew 6:24

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be [a]against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon ([b]deceitful riches, money, possessions, or [c]whatever is trusted in).

Matthew 6:24

Christian Standard Bible

24 “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24

Common English Bible

24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Matthew 6:24

1599 Geneva Bible

24 [a]No man can serve [b]two masters: for either he shall hate the one, and love the other, or else he shall lean to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and [c]riches.

Matthew 6:24

J.B. Phillips New Testament

24 “No one can be loyal to two masters. He is bound to hate one and love the other, or support one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and the power of money at the same time.”

Matthew 6:24

New Century Version

24 “No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.

Matthew 6:24

New Living Translation

24 “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 God and be enslaved to money.

Mattityahu 6:24

Orthodox Jewish Bible

24 No one is able to serve two adonim (masters). For either he will have sinah (hatred) for the one and ahavah (love) for the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve Hashem and Mammon (Money).

In SUMMARY, "mammon" means:

money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord

deceitful riches, money, possessions, or [c]whatever is trusted in

money

wealth

riches

the power of money

worldly riches

be enslaved to money

Image: Png Tree

Who Do You Serve?

 

Jesus said:

Luke 4:18 

King James Version

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

because he hath anointed me 

to preach the gospel to the poor; 

he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, 

to preach deliverance to the captives, 

and recovering of sight to the blind, 

to set at liberty them that are bruised,

What is the work you do?

Who do you lead?

Who do you serve?

What is your greater vision?

What do you think true leadership means?

The Bible shows that Jesus, the man of sorrows, served the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, and other forgotten people.

The Lord gave up His life for us.

Matthew 20:28 

King James Version

28 Even as the Son of man came 

not to be ministered unto, 

but to minister, 

and to give his life a ransom for many.

If you only serve the rich, what good would that do?

The poor will all the more be forgotten.

You would have caused a greater divide.

Won't you rather that everyone have a roof over their heads, have proper food, live and work safely, and securely, and not be a slave to anyone?

Can you bear lording it over everyone, when others are suffering everywhere?

Can you turn a blind eye to the needs of others?

Will it not be better we pray to Jesus, to please show us the way, so we may serve others better?

And perhaps, to even show us the best work to do, that would truly benefit others?

That is the call of leadership now.

That we have a heart.

And that heart, must be of God.

RATING your COUNTRY

 

1 Peter 3:12

King James Version

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, 

and his ears are open unto their prayers: 

but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Are there righteous nations?

Here's how to judge your nation.

Let SPIRIT and Scripture be our guide.

Psalm 33:12

King James Version

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; 

and the people whom he hath chosen 

for his own inheritance.

Proverbs 14:34

King James Version

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: 

but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 29:2

King James Version

2 When the righteous are in authority, 

the people rejoice: 

but when the wicked beareth rule, 

the people mourn.

Proverbs 29:7

King James Version

7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: 

but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

Isaiah 32:17

King James Version

17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; 

and the effect of righteousness quietness 

and assurance for ever.

Isaiah 33:15

King James Version

15 He that walketh righteously, 

and speaketh uprightly; 

he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, 

that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, 

that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, 

and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

Romans 8:1

King James Version

8 There is therefore now no condemnation 

to them which are in Christ Jesus, 

who walk not after the flesh, 

but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:4

King James Version

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness 

to every one that believeth.

Romans 13:1

King James Version

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. 

For there is no power but of God: 

the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 14:17-19

King James Version

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; 

but righteousness, 

and peace, 

and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ 

is acceptable to God, 

and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things 

which make for peace, 

and things wherewith one may edify another.

2 Corinthians 6:14

King James Version

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: 

for what fellowship hath righteousness 

with unrighteousness? 

and what communion hath light 

with darkness?

Philippians 1:9-11

King James Version

9 And this I pray, 

that your love may abound yet more and more 

in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; 

that ye may be sincere and without offence 

till the day of Christ.

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, 

which are by Jesus Christ, 

unto the glory and praise of God.

1 Timothy 6:11

King James Version

11 But thou, O man of God, 

flee these things; 

and follow after righteousness, 

godliness, faith, love, 

patience, meekness.

James 3:18

King James Version

18 And the fruit of righteousness 

is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Philippians 4:8

King James Version

8 Finally, 

brethren, 

whatsoever things are true, 

whatsoever things are honest, 

whatsoever things are just, 

whatsoever things are pure, 

whatsoever things are lovely, 

whatsoever things are of good report; 

if there be any virtue, 

and if there be any praise, 

think on these things.

How has your nation fared?

Related material:

BEWARE these leaders

SCRIPTURE on RIGHTEOUSNESS

The way of nations

What a JUST Society OUGHT to Be

Image: Info and Opinion

Updated 9 September 2024