You Have a Place at Grace - 9/13/2026
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt.6:24).
The architects of the one-year lectionary were wise to include this verse in a section on anxiety because it addresses the chief problem of idolatry. The devil goads us into serving money with the promise of peace and happiness with every penny earned. But how often have we experienced money slip through our fingers only to despair over the loss? How often have we coveted something, got it, then found ourselves dissatisfied and wanting more? How often have we thought that if we just get this amount in savings, everything will be fine, and then it wasn’t?
These rhetorical questions unveil the problem of serving mammon that plunges us into the sea of anxiety and worry. When you serve a god who comes and goes, you’re bound for disappointment. There’s no stability and peace in a god you can’t trust.
In many ways this text unpacks the 1st commandment. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” In other words, get your priorities straight. Remember again the 1st commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods.” And note the meaning, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” If we’re doing this, why are we fearing so many things in the world over and above the One Who holds the keys to life and death?
Again, we’re brought to repentance over our idolatrous practices in corrupt flesh needing a Savior to open our eyes, pull us out of the pit, and sustain faith finding refuge in the Rock Himself.
May God grant us this that we would bask in His righteousness, find peace and contentment, and avoid the trap of trying to serve two masters when there’s only One Who saves.
-By Rev. Ryan J. Ogrodowicz, “You Have a Place at Grace,” September 13th, 2026
Grace Lutheran Church - Brenham, Texas
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
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