[Jesus speaking]
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭8‬
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.‭‭

John‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

I like to watch the show American Pickers on the history channel. It is interesting to watch some of the rare cars and bikes, old signs and toys and furniture that is found in these rural junkyards. Then there are the elaborate “man caves”! One I was watching today was a 100 yard by 30 yard outbuilding that this man built for his toys. His old cars were immaculately cared for. Everything was super clean! One could say he was devoted to his collection of cars.

Some people really get attached to things or people, and it can drive them. They are wholly devoted to them. But at the end of their lives or the lives of their loved ones, what do they have to show for this overriding devotion?

God wants our wholehearted devotion. He wants to be our master, the one we serve and long to please. If we truly do this, we have to place everything else — our priorities, passions, pursuits and collections, even our spouse or family — in second place. The implication of this verse is that something will ultimately be your master. God can be by choice and obedience. Or greed, pride, power, position, or relationships will pull us into devotion to them through fear and deception and become our masters.

I love the straightforward and simple truths in this Proverbs passage. Trust in God with your whole heart. Be devoted to him. Don’t lean on your own shallow perspective and limited understanding in this life. Instead, seek out God’s wisdom! IN ALL YOUR WAYS, SUBMIT TO HIM! And he will direct your paths, make them straight, and give you health and long life.

Obedience is the action that demonstrates a heart of devotion to God. Positions, ideas, speeches, even wordy prayers do not demonstrate devotion. Obeying God’s commands shows that we trust him and are devoted servants to him.

Our great reward is that Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit will dwell within us! What an incredible benefit and blessing!

Praise you, Lord, that you should take notice of small, little me and want to walk with me and know me! Help me to take notice of your ways and the loving opportunities you put right in front of me. I want to keep you in first place all the time. Help my devotion to be supercharged for you and my obedience solid.