Twin priorities: God and Money. . . . Oh no! We've got to choose. We can't devote ourselves to serving God and also chase after wealth. Isn't that disappointing? Most of us would like to accomplish both. Why can't we do both, serve God wholeheartedly, and make lots of money?

Because they are so opposite. Serving God involves so much dying to self and giving away, while serving money goals involves much more attention to self and getting ahead. Ambition is key there.

Believe me, I've been trying to combine God and money, but simply time-wise I keep running into clashes. I still give my service to God priority when there is a conflict, but that means that my business efforts fall behind or get neglected. I keep setting up fresh business goals, with new deadline dates, and although I'm making some progress, compared to most others I'm a dismal failure at turning a good profit. At the same time, my ministry efforts are getting less than 100% from my time and energy.

I'm willing to agree now; it is impossible to be equally devoted to both God and money. You will have to choose one over the other many times. Why does that bring tears to my eyes? Am I really mourning the loss of my wealth goals? Or, can I turn them over to the Lord, and watch Him do some fascinating miracles in providing for the funds I hoped to rake together to give to Him?

Do you also have these subtle, under the current conflicts in your life? You may have started out with noble dreams of earning wealth to give to God too. Are you ready to admit the Lord is right? We can't have both of these priorities. One will have to yield for the other.

But God is holy and well worth a place as our God over all! We shall not be sorry if we make Him our God above all gods, including money.