WHERE WE PUT OUR TRUST

A simplistic view of Idolatry can be the idea of having a totem, a little Buddha or a deck of tarot cards or magic beads, or astrology charts hidden away in the back bedroom. The prophet Isaiah speaks clearly to such things: “All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? (Isaiah 44:9-10, also rest of chapter).
Richard Beck, professor and author wrote:
“Basically, idolatry isn’t about worshiping the sun or a tree or a carved statue, mistakenly attributing certain qualities (like godness or divinity) to a material object. Idolatry is, rather, an attitude of loyalty toward created realities. Idolatry is about allegiances.
This is true, but I think these loyalties and allegiances flow out of something deeper, as I suggest above. The issue is a matter of trust. Who is your savior? I’m loyal and pledge allegiance because I think you’ll come to my aid when I’m in need. Otherwise, why bother? The issue of idolatry really concerns our fundamental dependency. The ground upon which we stand. That ground can be my talent, my attractiveness, my success, my bank account, my social media followers, my nation. Even my religion.”

Whatever we trust is where we go to get help… the bottle, the beads, the bank, the brothers, the babes, the beatitudes, the Bible, or blowing bubbles. Whatever we trust, we will also worship and give ourselves to joyfully.

“You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Jesus