Walang aliping maaaring maglingkod ng sabay sa dalawang panginoon sapagkat kamumuhian niya ang isa at iibigin ang ikalawa, paglilingkuran nang tapat ang isa at hahamakin ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo maaaring maglingkod ng sabay sa Diyos at sa kayamanan.

Lucas 16:13

Sa isa sa parables na itinuro ni Cristo sa Kanyang mga disipulo, nagbigay Siya ng isang ultimatum. Sinabi Niya sa mga disipulo na hindi nila maaaring sambahin ang Diyos habang naglilingkod din sa ngalan ng kayamanan. It’s either God or money — you can only choose one.

Imagine the gravity of this scene. Matagal na silang magkakasama. The disciples have been following Jesus for the good part of Jesus’ ministry. The disciples have already dedicated a lot to Jesus — their time, energy, obedience, talents. But here, Jesus was saying that they cannot serve both God and money, implying that they should dedicate their possessions too. Gaano man kahirap pakinggan at tanggapin ang katuruan ito, isa itong encouragement para sa atin kung pag-iisipan nating mabuti.

1.​Everything we own is a grace from God. It is all grace. And if it is all grace, then we can trust that this grace is sufficient. This grace never runs out. This grace will meet all our needs. Sapat na at higit pa ang biyayang ito.

2.​In our material world, the gospel is our ultimate hope. Everything else fails. Nabubuhay tayo sa mundo na mataas ang tingin sa kayamanan. In the midst of all the excessive material demands of our material world, you can embrace this truth and tell yourself: “The gospel is the only thing I truly possess. The gospel is enough, so I will be OK.”

3.​Jesus Christ demands our undivided allegiance to God and the gospel. Tandaan natin na the pursuit of God and the gospel is worth infinitely more than the feeble pursuit of material things, which is doomed to fail us.

The gospel tells of a provision that meets our deepest need: Christ redeems us from our sinfulness and reconciles us with God for eternity. The gospel is the only provision that will last eternally.