Let God have the Monopoly in your Life



Uploaded on 1/10/2008


An issue of two masters. Who has the monopoly in your life?


Luke 16:13 - 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.


Approximate running time: 1:57


Jesus did promote faithfulness via good stewardship. Earlier in Luke 16, it's clear that we are to be responsible with our finances. However, we are not to make riches our idol.


Jesus is very stern when it comes to issues of idolatry. For example, look at his zeal against the temple money-changers (Matthew 21) who were there to make a quick buck off of people there to worship. Our heart, soul, mind, and strength all need to be set on pleasing God and loving others in obedience to Him (cf. Matthew 22:37-39).



Discussion questions


1. As humans in general, what are some of the idols in our own lives?
Idols don't have to be literal items that we carve out of gold or ivory or wood -- we can create idols in our hearts very easily as humans. Anything that we desire above God is an idol. Anything that takes His rightful place as first in our lives is an idol. We are told in Scripture to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14) and to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). In addition, God very seriously told Moses to write down as the First Commandment in Exodus 20, "Have no other gods beside Me." Any time that we construct an idol in our lives, we are distracted from the true God and often end up bringing destruction to our lives. Whether the idol constructed is the love of money (which is the cause for all types of evil), comfort, self, self-image, or whatever the case, please -- by all means -- put God in His proper place on the throne of your life.

2. Can you be satisfied in life and truly follow after Jesus regardless of what your financial status may be?
Reflect on this statement. Often the worst frustrations in life come out of times of lack. Regardless of whether or not you have a job at this moment, or whether or not your paycheck is as generous as perhaps you deserve, focus on your priorities. Is Jesus first and foremost in your life? If He calls you to do something difficult for His glory, would you up and do that task, regardless of how difficult? These are great things to reflect on as we go about life. May God grant you great strength, and also give you comfort that He will provide enough as you walk with Him in wisdom.

3. Who has the monopoly in your life?
Remember, Jesus said that you cannot serve both God and money (mammon). It's an either-or, and it's up to us to choose wisely. God has given you the ability to make decisions, so be grateful to God for any money He provides, but never EVER let it become an idol on any level. It's more important to be known by the Lord and to walk with Him faithfully than to have an idol that leads you to destruction.


Credits

Narration: Sterling C. Franklin
Illustration: G. Haase, S. Reyes, K. Strickland, P. Carmon
Music: "No You Didn't" by DJ Sterf
Captions and Subtitles: S. Franklin, M. Oberholster

Guest appearances: Glen, Steven, Ken, and Phil.