Too Many Idols

A friend of mine recently shared a story of a trip one of his daughters took. She went overseas with a specific skillset that she was going to share with the locals. It was a poor community. They had resources available, but no one had taught them how they could use them. After serving there for a considerable amount of time, she was able to come stateside to figure out what she wanted to do next. Upon arriving home, she decided to spend time with her family. Shortly after getting there, her dad found her standing in front of her closet weeping. When asked if she was ok, her response was, “I have so much”. No matter how hard they tried to comfort her, she remembered those she served with that pretty much just had what was on their backs. It took her a while before she could go into a grocery store, because what she saw was extravagance, not necessities. In the USA, we read about all the false gods that Israel had over the ages and think, how could they bow down and worship an idol that they made with their own hands. I look at what this young woman saw when she came home... an abundance that was not necessary. I started to think of all the things that we have and realized that for many, our prosperity is indeed a false god. We put our trust in our jobs, our money, our possessions, and all the worldly services that are available. It is not hard to see how many have committed spiritual adultery in the world. They have taken the love and commitment they owe to God and have invested it in worldly things. What does Jesus say about earthly riches? It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, we hear that we cannot serve God and money. We will love one and hate the other. Then there is the rich man that asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus said to follow the law. He claimed he kept all the laws. Then Jesus said, sell everything and give it to the poor and then follow me. We were told he left sad because he had great wealth. I think we need a heart like the young women I spoke of... the heart that is not blinded by wealth but actually understands how wealth can consume us. Are your gifts and abilities drowned out by the world? Father, teach me how I might use what You have given me to serve others. Help me to love You more than these. Amen