²² When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Serving Two Masters

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.^[a](A)

³¹ They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not obey them. For flattery is on their lips, but their heart is set on their gain.^[a](A)

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).^(A)

²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this^[a] age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.^(A)

⁵ Be sure of this, that no sexually immoral or impure person or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^(A)

²² When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

²⁶ For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

²³ But when he heard this, he became sad, for he was very rich.

⁹ The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given;