You Cannot Serve Two Masters

“You cannot serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24

Earlier today, a man approached me, and we had a civil conversation. He asked me what I do, and I told him, “I'm a journalist.” His response? “Does it pay the bills?”

To me, that question felt insulting—not just to me, but to what I believe God is doing in my life.

I've experienced what it's like to have what looks like a glamorous job, something people admire from the outside, while feeling miserable on the inside. I hated myself and my life, even when everything appeared perfect to everyone else. I had put my trust in money rather than God.

Today, I'm doing what I love and following God as best I can. I'm not making as much money, but I feel freer and happier than I have in my entire life.

Over the past six years, God has been shaping my character. I'm not saying I enjoyed the process, or that everything I've experienced was good. But through it all, God never left me. He remained faithful, even during the times when I almost walked away from Him.

Matthew 6:24 reminds us that we cannot serve both God and money. That doesn't mean money itself is bad or that we shouldn't want to provide for ourselves. But we must ask ourselves what we're ultimately placing our trust in. Are we measuring our lives by our income, our job titles, and other people's approval? Or are we seeking God and allowing Him to direct our steps?

When someone asks whether your work pays the bills, perhaps the deeper question is this: Are you fulfilling God's purpose for your life?

Because a life that looks successful to the world isn't necessarily a life that brings us peace. And a life that doesn't look glamorous from the outside isn't necessarily a life without purpose.

Sometimes, the most important kind of success is learning to trust God with your future, even when the path looks different from what you imagined.