The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THERE is no way a person should serve their riches as they serve God, according to Christian beliefs. Matthew 6:24 states: “No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.”

Jessica Nottage, a Baptist church member said: “God must be the number one ruler in a Christian’s life. There is no half stepping when it comes to a believer’s walk with Christ. You cannot serve God and Satan, because the two of them oppose each other and ultimately you will end up favouring the ways of one over the other.

She said: “ For instance you cannot be saved and not allow the ways of God or his word to have the most influence in your life when it comes to making decisions. When a person chooses God they must follow him wholeheartedly and allow his method of operation to carry the most weight in their lives.”

For Megan Kemp, a Catholic church member, the scripture is basically talking about letting go of the materialistic possessions in life and focusing more on spiritual qualities.

“For example, God teaches us to be selfless. If you are only focused on buying this and that for yourself, then you obviously aren’t focused on giving to others in the name of God’s teachings. And let us not forget that money is the root of all evil,” said Ms Kemp.

Tasheena Fowler, a Pentecostal follower, said everything about the scripture is true. “The bible say either you’re hot or you’re cold, it cannot be in between. That is like you trying to be in two places at once. You can’t say you are serving God, and partying in the club. Either you are for God with your whole heart or you’re not,” she said.

Kayla Bowe said the scripture can be applied to everyday life situations.

“Let’s just take relationships for example. A marriage is a sacred connection between two people and two people only. When a partner is tempted to go out and cheat, it only ends in destruction because that person already went before God to honour and love their spouse. So yes, most divorces are caused due to people thinking they can serve both their spouse and “sweet heart.”

Money is indeed the root of all evil, and for Felicia, it is upsetting that some people choose to praise money like they should be praising God.

“Don’t you know that the only way money is provided to you is by the grace of God. He provides you with the wisdom and strength to go out and make an honest living. When you get to that point where you are worshipping your wealthy lifestyle, you lose yourself,” said Felicia.