Jesus intends for us to serve others rather than for us to expect others to serve us. I think that many people in the United States have that message reversed. They dream of having enough money to have people constantly waiting on them and to fill their every need. After all, that is the American dream isn’t it? Well, it may be the American dream but it should not be an “Kingdom of God” citizens’ dream. Let’s look at some of the red letters in this area.

 Matt 20:25-28

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 Luke 16:13-15

“No servant 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.”

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

NIV

 The words in Matthew make it clear that those who want to become great (in the kingdom of God) you must serve others. Jesus’ entire ministry was about serving and he expects us to follow his lead. The second verse (Luke 16) is more about loving money over God but many would argue that is also a issue predominately American in nature. The cornerstone of capitalist governments is the love of money. So, that verse feeds into both this post and the last one. Let’s not let our dreams be selfish in nature and especially not about money.