Idolatry

[Mouko OCS]

“Every one of us is, even from his mother’s womb, a master craftsman of idols.” John Calvin

It's scary to think how true this statement is when we realize that an idol is basically anything we put before God in our attentions, desires, affections, etc.  It's important to realize that sin itself is often, if not mostly or completely, the result of idolatry.  I have often said in conversation with other believers that most, if not all, sin can be traced back to pride.  However, after considering further, I have to wonder if most, if not all, sin, stems out of idolatry...the worship of something other than God.  Isn't pride itself a form of worship of the self? It is, at a minimum, putting our desires for ourselves in front of our desire for God...giving them more importance than our desires for what God wants.

Thoughts?

[RabidRabbit OCS]

Don't foget the power of the love of money has in so many people's lives. I have even heard televangelists talking about how materially, not just spiritually, rewarded Christians can and will be.

[Mouko OCS]

Absolutely Rabbit...the love of money (both the green and material possessions) is a big one...

I've also seen and heard many televangelists say the same sorts of things.  That one is an easy one for many Christians to identify.  A question would be, "if we can trust God with our soul in salvation, shouldn't we be able to trust Him in our finances?"  Sadly, it could be the answer doesn't deal with trust so much as desire for that money...that lifestyle...and THAT is idolatry.

Not all that long ago God really dealt in my heart about our money...that I was not giving the tithe I am called to.  It was a struggle for me at first as I knew it would require some changes.  In my flesh I began to first try to figure out IF I could do it instead of HOW to do it...how to move things around and what had to change so I could.  Eventually God got a hold of me and convicted me of this and I said, "ok Lord, it's coming...one way or another." The month is a little tighter, but, we are doing just fine...meeting our bills and still being able to save and take care of everything else.

[Goose OCS]

hmmm, I have never thought about it that way. It does make sense, it is common for humans to put their desires and practices before God. Money is a huge one, you are correct rabbit. I have never really thought of pride to be worship to one's self, but, I suppose it is. Just never really thought about it that way. But it depends how you look at it, I think of having pride is having confidence in one's self. Is to much confidence self worship too? I think its a good question and I believe that it is if the confidence is to a great extreme. Something i wouldn't have ever thought about though.  Its good that you bring this up Mouko. I know that Idolatry is wrong, but I always just thought of it as having an "Idol". Someone you intensely look up to to the extent of almost, or completely worshiping them along side God or instead of God. To be honest, I think man sins alot more then we are aware. We are not perfect but I think we are worse then what meets the eye.

[The Deacon OCS]

"if we can trust God with our soul in salvation, shouldn't we be able to trust Him in our finances?" 

As a Deacon involved in church finances, among other things, your quote above is what I tell many followers of Christ. Many say I can't afford to tithe. I mention to them that if you can't afford to live off 90% of your income then you can't afford to live off 100% of your income. We are to be good stewards of the money that God has given us through the blessings of our employment. We need to live off a budget rather than living beyond our means. If we withhold our tithe from God, we rob him. Thankfully, this is not a salvation issue but is rather a trust issue that comes with its own blessings. Withholding money from God is also a form of idol worship because we are putting our love of money before our love of God. There is a reason that the borrower is slave to the lender.

One of the few times we are told to actually challenge God is in the area of tithing. Can you imagine? God tells us to challenge him on this issue. I have seen the faithful become blessed. And yes, you can really live off 90%, I have for a number of years.

Malachi 3:8-10

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
KJV


Will today be the day that you test God on this?

[Mouko OCS]

Yeah Deacon, I began helping count tithes and offerings and it definately gave me a greater appreciation for the financial needs of the Church and what can be accomplished when people give faithfully.

Yeah Goose, self confidence is not a bad thing until we begin to think we know better than God...or that we do not need God.  I even think about the phrase, "take pride in your work."  What does that mean? Not necessarily PRIDE so much as wanting to do a good job and being happy that you did your best...if in fact that's what we mean.

Here's another one for everybody.  We all know how "worship" of "money" and "posessions" can be a hinderance to people.  Look at the rich young ruler in the Bible when Jesus told him to sell all he had and give to the poor and follow Him.  He went away sad, as the Bible says, because he had much.  His heart was on his possessions and not Jesus.  My question is, thinking of one thing in your life that means very much to you as far as your possessions go...how much of a struggle would it be to give it up if you KNEW it was coming between you and God?

I was in this situation and sinfully began to think of every way that I could possibly be hearing God wrong.  I began to think of excuses and ways I could retain what I was putting before Him.  I then realized what I was doing and by the simple fact I was struggling so hard figuring out a way to keep that which was not important, I was in fact putting it in front of God both in keeping it and in striving so hard to keep it.  The lack of peace and the struggle was so not worth what I had in holding on to that "idol."

[The Deacon OCS]

Look to the widow who gave her last two widowmites (money) and the blessing that was bestowed on her.

[PureKnight OCS]

I believe idolatry begins, beside the pride, with trust issue. Often our faith challenge our thinking. This challenge test our faith as well as our trust onto Lord Jesus Christ. When one do not trust God or self, they turn to idol to gratificate their "worldly need". Take daily manna in Exodus for an example, when people gather extra manna for next day, they do not trust Lord that He is provider thus manna, AND in turn themselves, becomes an idol. I know my writing is bad this morning. Sorry about that.

[Mouko OCS]

Very good points Pure.  The lack of trust can lead to idolatry in finding something else we believe can satisfy a need.