Trying to Love Two

Have you ever been in a relationship with one person, but found yourself thinking about, even loving someone else? If so, it was (is) probably an exceptionally difficult experience. Like trying to be in two places simultaneously, it is impossible to truly love two people at the same time. Try as you may, your heart can’t follow two separate paths. Sooner or later you’re forced to make a decision and you end up loving one more than the other.

Jacob’s life is a testament to the dangers of trying to love two. Despite his marriage to Leah, Rachel was always Jacob’s true love. Jacob’s preferential treatment of Rachel resulted in an explicit bias for his sons by Rachel, over his other sons, even keeping Rachel and Joseph safe while putting the rest of his family in harm’s way (Genesis 32:6-8; 33:1-2). Despite the immense wisdom he was given, Solomon’s attempt to please his seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines turned his heart away from God to a life of idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8).

No matter how hard we try to be unbiased, our true love and allegiance seeps out in our conduct. We will show favoritism to the one we truly love—the true master of our hearts. Eventually, we will have a change in posture toward the other, less loved of the two. So, Jesus offers a warning about trying to serve mammon (riches or material wealth) and God. One will be the focus of our living, breathing and activities. One will be the driving force in our lives. One will dictate our schedules, work ethic, spare time and affections. One will have our heart and focus; the other will be left with empty words.