and he talked about how many of us have fallen into worshiping idols without realizing it. Things like money, television, name brand clothes, and expensive cars, while all nice to have, have become more important to many of us than doing things that can bring us closer to God, like studying and worshiping, spreading the gospel, and helping those in need in general. Do you agree with this?
I didn't to start with, but after taking a look at all the material possessions that I have and value so highly, I changed my mind. There are many people who have much less who are just as happy as I am, and I feel like I could learn a thing or two from them.
2007-05-18 15:23:11 · 19 answers · asked by Erin C 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, it is true we certainly make many things more important than God in our lives, when people think of idolatry they thing of the golden calf, and the idols of the Bible, but no there are many idols today that we deny are idols. Satan has become more stealthy in his work.
2007-05-18 15:27:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I so totally agree with him because it is true. I often tell my kids that if having a lot of money was a remedy to happiness then people and their kids(and am no way am I demeaning them, just making a point) with lots of money would not be committing suicide. We cannot take any of those things with us. When we die, this old body goes back to the ground. Then who gets it. Why not bless someone less fortunate with what we have so that when we are going, there will at least be a legacy. Let alone the blessing in Heaven that you earn. Idolatry is anything that you exalt above Almighty God. May God Bless U.
2007-05-18 15:33:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree.
Classic idolotry was a man going into the forest, cutting down a tree, using half the wood for fire, and the other half of the wood for the idol that he was going to bow down to and worship.
Idolotry is basically making God into an image other than what He is. The bible says God is invisible, so making a graven image would be idolotry.
When you place something like money, cars, tv, etc above God, it becomes an idol that you serve.
Here's another way you can make an idol. If you say "My god loves everyone no matter what." then you've replaced the God of the universe for a god from your imagination, because "your god" doesn't exist.
2007-05-18 15:36:26 · answer #3 · answered by dooltaz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the important thing to remember is it is not things that make you evil, it is your own heart. King David and Solomon were the richest men Ive ever hard of, and they were decribed as good Godly men that didnt deny justice to their people, and were wise men after Gods heart.
Idolatry is quite literally choosing another God that is fake over the real God. People who are materialistic are GREEDY. Not idolaters. Idolatry is when you specifically pick a popular deity of the world or craft your own.
The problem we have today is greed and selfishness, and even isolation. How many times have we opened our home to people? Im guilty of it myself! We just have to remember to have a heart for God and always keep building on what we have with God rather than letting Satan destroy it or be content and putting a cap on our spiritual growth.
2007-05-18 15:43:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
An idol being something a person worships shouldn't be used to widely as a word. The word does have specific meaning and many "preachers" use the word to make their point, but they do so ignorantly. Unless you are worshiping the telivision I don't believe it is your idol. I must tell you the truth, Jesus said on many occasions, and this time I am saying. We do many things with throughout our days besides watch tv that I bet the same preacher wouldn't say is idolization, or else he'd have to say everything that we do not in the name of Jesus or God is idolizing. Allow me to make my point more clear. I am pregnant and I talk to my baby in my belly, at which point I am not speaking to God or thinking of God. I don't believe I am idolizing my baby or my belly because at that moment I am focusing my attention not on God but at a person he put in my life. Another example, we sleep every evening. When I sleep I am not thinking of God for 8 hrs straight, I am enjoying my dreams (as I would enjoy a tv special). I don't believe dreaming, although it takes up 8-10 hrs sometimes, is idolization. Or how about this, everyday a person goes to work. At their job they file paperwork. While filing the paper work they whistle a tune. This task helps them to stay happy at work. It entertains them for a long period of time each day. Is that person idolizing the whistle? No. Come on just because someone can rap something in a fine sounding arguement don't agree with them, without critically thinking of what they are saying.
Just because a person enjoys doing something, it doesn't mean they are idolizing it. And just because a person would rather do something than do what their religious leader says, that doesn't mean they are an idolator either. People have their own minds and they should use them the way God made them, don't use someone elses mind. Think for yourself, read the bible and see what you get out of it.
There is a scripture that mentions i'm going to paraphrase "and whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it in the name of Jesus Christ" and there is another "work as if working for the Lord" And I not God, say this God rested on the seventh day "rest as if resting for the Lord." Be a David and think for yourself.
2007-05-18 15:38:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I agree completely. I am guilty of this too. God convicts me every day. Try using what you have to glorify God. Give some one a ride to church who has no car or is disabled. Invite friends over to your house for Bible study. Pay your tithes at church. Donate clothes you don't wear to the church for the needy. Cook a meal for a family who are in need. Use what God has blessed you with for the benefit of others. God should always be first in your life & every thing you do will be blessed. God bless.
2007-05-18 15:59:46 · answer #6 · answered by foreverhoyt 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, people are too fixated on brand name things. I mean, I'd personally cry without my cheap, generic mp3 player, but that doesn't mean I need to have a 80g video iPod that dances and does my taxes.
I think we need to separate "nice things" that improve your quality of life from "must have advertised" things.
On the other hand, worrying about world hunger, disease and climate change is kinda more important.
2007-05-18 15:29:09 · answer #7 · answered by Tara Maeve 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree, I know people who came into money and they are not the same, I hope I never put things or money before God, I have so many other faults, I need to work on.
2007-05-18 15:28:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I agree We never seem to get enough. And mistake what we need with what we want. Truth is we could all live on much less , if we had to. But we choose to live like all the others around us. We can't take it with us, so why do we pay so much for so little.
2007-05-18 15:31:22 · answer #9 · answered by skeeter195848 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Smart pastor. What's really sad is that the Christian church also elevates people at the higher income level. Look around your church and figure out the last time the single mother with 3 kids was invited over to the pastors or anybody elses as opposed to the doctor and his wife.
2007-05-18 15:29:49 · answer #10 · answered by me 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋