No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.
Matthew 6:24 ESV
Many today might work two jobs without hating one boss and loving the other. We might hate them both or love them both. Or we might even be indifferent to them. But the master referred to here is not like our typical boss today.
The word translated here as master is kyrios, meaning supreme in authority. This word is most often translated in the New Testament as Lord, referring to Jesus. So Jesus essentially says that no one can be a slave of two masters, each with supreme authority over you. They will be pulling you in opposite directions. And you will be unable to satisfy both of them.
Two Masters
The two masters Jesus refers to are God and money, or materialism. These two masters pull me in opposite directions. God calls me to live a life of sacrifice, committed fully to him. Meanwhile, the god of materialism calls on me to enjoy my life in this world to the fullest. To accumulate wealth and experience all the pleasures this world has to offer.
The conflict between these two masters is first seen in Genesis 3. Eve and then Adam, were faced with a choice. Would they obey God? Or would they choose what appealed to their human nature?
And I am faced with the same choice today. Will I love God, serving him wholeheartedly? Or is my heart drawn to the things of this world, whether that be material things, pleasure, intellectual pursuit, or any other attraction of this world?
That is not to say that I have to live in poverty and deny myself of all pleasure. But I need to guard against allowing them to be the focus of my life, to become my master. As Jesus said, we cannot serve two masters, both God and money. Because our hearts will be devoted to one or the other. Let it be to God.
