No One
"No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24)
These words spoken by Jesus Christ were to make it clear that there is a choice to be made... in our hearts, that there is no middle ground, and that no one is exempt from the principle. Jesus sought to show people who were trusting in their riches that there was someone much greater to trust in.
When situations arise, we will not encounter the scene shown above - with two clear roads and puffy clouds signaling each direction. But it will be evident to those believers who read and retain His Word, listen to His voice and are patient to wait and make the wise decision.
Jesus used the verb "serve" twice in the verse, its definition includes the meaning of to be a servant and to be of use. As believers in Christ, we want to be a servant unto Him and to be of use in every area... including our finances.
It may seem outlandish to some that they serve money, but consider those, who when they are paid, their very first thought is to what they can spend it on... right now, first, and they may later drop a token amount in the offering if they attend church.
Contrast this with the path in serving God faithfully. The believer first recognizes where his wealth has come from, as it is written in Deuteronomy 8:18 - "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth". In response, he or she then sets aside from their gain to honor the Lord in tithes and offerings, following Proverbs 3:9, "Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency and with the firstfruits of all your income".
Look at those who plunge themselves into deep debt because they feel they have to have to newest and best things in so many areas. They strain to earn more and more to keep serving this appetite. Then when additional money does come their way, they agree to additional debt for bigger and better things and continue serving.
On the other side, the one who is mindful of the Lord, recalls His Word guiding him from Romans 13:8 to "Keep out of debt and owe no many anything, except to love one another." And they lean on 1 Timothy 6:8, "But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
And as it relates to others in need, God's Word succinctly communicates it to us in one verse... "There are those who generously scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want." (Proverbs 11:24). This defies reason, but it is because God's hand is at work, increasing more to those who give generously (serving God) so they can abound to every good work, while the other person (serving money) finds themselves wanting more and more and still being unsatisfied.
We also need to regard soberly that Jesus stated no one is exempt from this. The Lord has made it plain from His perspective in knowing all things that every human being as they live will serve one or the other... God or money.
In closing, if you are unsure and you really want to gauge where you stand in your serving, I bring to you in love the words Christ said in Matthew 6:21:
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
