What do you think of this double dichotomy in Matthew?

[jennifer_bloom]

It says you cannot serve two masters and you will either love one and hate the other or be devoted to one and despise the other, you cannot serve both God and money.

I believe it’s you will either love God and hate money or you will be devoted to money and despise God.

I don’t know if I would claim to hate money, but I do not like indulgent things like too much food, too much clothing, too many vacations, too many parties.

I prefer oatmeal to big meals. I prefer Cuba to Australia. I prefer wal mart Clothes to Saks Avenue. And I prefer a granny mini van to a fashionable Mercedes Benz.

A lot of people think I’m mentally ill or social retarded cause popularity and image mean nothing to me.

[Paradox316]

There are many contradictions in the Bible, according to the Skeptic's Annotated Bible which links verses from a Christian website, there are about 10,000 of them. But one thing that it's consistent on is not placing too much value on material goods, fame, or what the world thinks of you. I'm an ardent atheist who has studied religion non-formally, and Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are hardly unique in this teaching. Hell I have non-religious philosophical beliefs that tell me the person of wealth, power, and fame do not lead to true happiness. (Pursuing Virtuous, non-selfish, sustainable, (defined as not harmful to society or yourself) simple and mental/emotional pleasures that can be balanced with nature are the true way to tranquility and happiness. So no I don't think there is a conflict, because the Bible is so contradictory and incoherent you can interpret it any way you want. You can't really believe in the Bible, and personally and I would go so far as to say any religion without cherry picking! So go ahead and believe whatever religion you damn well please and just cherry pick it to fit whatever other non-religious opinions you have, as long as you're not dogmatic.

[SamIam96]

Certainly not mentally ill. Different from most people, and probably healthier, too.

Matthew teaches that both the pursuit of wealth and the love of God are all consuming. It is impossible to have both.

Jesus said "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (I paraphrase.)

Your avoidance of material wealth is consistent with Jesus' teachings, particularly if you give up your wealth in service of the poor.

You also hint at the mortal sin of gluttony. (too much clothing, vacations, parties, food.)