In life, a choice has to be made. Only one can receive your true loyalty. When there is a time of crises, a clash of commands and desires, then a choice has to be made as to which master is honoured and which master is rejected (Judas’ decision to betray Christ, Matthew 26:14–16).1 Similar language is used by Jesus when it comes to the choice between serving him or pleasing your family (Luke 14:26). In both cases (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 14:26), Jesus makes use of a common Semitic idiom to contrast between love and hate and thereby indicate strong preference/loyalty.2
24 “No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.