To Serve Two Masters

"You cannot serve two masters," Jesus urgently explained, "You will love one and despise the other--You cannot serve both God and Money." -In Matthew's Gospel, 6:24

We read that a few weeks ago in church, and we heard that having money is ok and that Jesus doesn't really expect us to sell what we have and give to the poor. My question is, if Jesus doesn't expect that, then why does He, moved by compassion, say to the rich, young ruler those exact words?! "Sell all you have and give to the poor and follow me."

Money exherts a certain control over us because it seems to hold out so much promise of happiness. It whispers with great force, "Think and act so as to get into a position to enjoy my benefits." This may include stealing, borrowing, or working. Money promises happiness, and we serve it by putting our power at its disposal for its good. We serve money by doing what is necessary so that money's power will be at our disposal for our good. -John Piper

If Jesus puts the two in parallel, God and money, then He is saying that we serve them in the same manner.

And so we will serve God by believing His promise of fullest joy and walking by that faith. We will not serve God by trying to put our power at His disposal for His good, but by doing what is necessary so that His power will be ever at our disposal for our good. -JP

And sometimes that means selling all I have and giving it to the poor, or letting go of anything that I hold as an idol, anything that I put more hope in than Christ so that I can follow Him. A still, small voice whispers "Think and act so as to get into a position to enjoy My benefits."
With Joshua, I say, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15