| Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and mammon.” |
Money is an interesting topic. Do we have enough? Do you want more.
For some, they need to ask another question, if you had more money how would it change your life? Because…money always changes your life.
Joseph Nollekens’ life was.
Nollekens was a famous sculptor of his day. He had many friends and was known to be wealthy. Yet, he lived his life as a pauper.
He went to Rome where he repaired antique statues and sold them as perfect. The money rolled in.
But it wasn’t enough.
He made more money smuggling items like socks, gloves, and lace by placing them in hollow busts.
He appeared ragged and his table manners were appalling.
Yet, he maintained his fame creating busts of King George III, Samuel Johnson, and the Duke of Wellington. But even his need for money occupied this. He would make busts with the subject looking over his shoulder. That way he could use a smaller piece of marble.
At home, he sat in the dark. When company would come, he would light a small fire which was doused as soon as the door behind them shut.
At dinner parties, he would stuff his pockets with salt and pepper from the table.
His wife, equally as stingy traded in the handle of an old mop when buying a new one. Therefore, the shopkeeper had to lower the cost.
And yet, Nollekens did nothing with the money. He helped no one, not even himself. When he died in 1823, he left a fortune of over $1,000,000.
Nollekens problem is not unique. Jesus warned against it.
“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.” (Matthew 6:24)
A life occupied with more, at the expense of living is under a cruel taskmaster.
Remember, in our society, we must ask the question “am I the master of my money or money the master of me?”
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
