Do I Worship Idols?

[Daniel_1981]

I'm not sure where this topic goes, if a moderator has an idea, please help me by moving it, thanks!

I've just finished reading about the downfall of the kingdom of Judah. About the evil kings that were in power before they were taken prisoner by Babylon. I'm reading about idol worshipping, Baal, Asherah, and other pagan gods.

My bible is the "Life Application Bible", and there is a lot of commentary regarding how to apply the O.T. history, to life today.

So, my bible makes the point that while we (generally) don't worship Baal and Asherah anymore, we often worship other idols. Money is listed as one of these idols. It goes on to say that when you "think about something more than when you think about God" then you are worshipping idols.

Now, I am about to married to the most beautiful women in the world and I am faced with the frightening reality of taking care of my new family. I still haven't finished my schooling. I have 1 more year of university left which I plan to complete very soon. We will both be students, living off of savings for a full year.

Anyway, even though this is not a huge problem I spend a lot of time worrying about money. Almost all of my time is spent making and saving money, and when I'm not engaged directly in making and saving money, I am preparing for or thinking about methods to make and save more money. This really takes almost all of my time, and STILL I feel as though I am not spending enough time on it.

Thinking about money and saving for my future, especially the upcoming full-year of me and my wife studying with no income whatsover (rent, food, bills and tuition is a lot of savings). It's a really heavy weight on my shoulders and it's all I think about. And actually I also want a nice car, and a house, and to have nice clothes and such for my wife and my kids should I be blessed to have children one day.

So...

1) Am I worshipping idols? Money is certainly all I think about. I feel as though it is my responsiblity.

2) How can anyone spend more time thinking about God than thinking about making money? So many work 40 hours a week, can we possible spend more than 40 hours thinking about God also? Or am I missinterpreting "Thinking about something more than god"

 

[Daniel_1981]

To make a long post shorter
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How can I love God and be a good christian but also be financially responsible? Having enough money to survive these days and live the "average" north american lifestyle seems to take so much energy and focus, how can one fit it in?

How much pursuing money will God let me get away with? Even just the basics, house, food, and tuition for my wife and I takes almost all my time and energy.

I work 30 hours a week, and in my free time I am starting my own business to earn more money. I only go to church for 2 hours a week. Is this sinning? I love God more than money, but I am not thinking about him more... How much is okay?

 

[Ensis]

Well I would say talk to God about it for one. Casting your cares upon him and all.

 

[Acceptance]

Daniel,

Yes, pray about it, prayer always helps. I've never heard it said:

when you "think about something more than when you think about God" then you are worshipping idols.

Keep in mind that it is not the Bible that says that, but the person doing the commentary for that particular version of the Bible. Who is the person doing the commentary? Where do they base their belief's? IMO, if you truely worshiped money, (i.e. you held it in a higher place than God) you wouldn't be worried about this, because money would be more important.

Let me try to put it in another context for you:
If you get sick, and you feel so bad, that you begin to think a lot about what will make you feel better (even more than you consciously think about God), are you worshiping sickness? No.

God is all knowing, and He know's what's in your heart. He understands that you need to do what you're doing now to get by in the situation He has given you.

 

[thrash]

1) Am I worshipping idols? Money is certainly all I think about. I feel as though it is my responsiblity.

I would really say no... Just because you think about something doesn't meen you idolize it. Are you putting Money before God?

2) How can anyone spend more time thinking about God than thinking about making money? So many work 40 hours a week, can we possible spend more than 40 hours thinking about God also? Or am I missinterpreting "Thinking about something more than god"

Well really when I work a lot of hours I dont think about all the money I'm making while doing so. 40 hours thinking about God something I don't do myself... SOmething I should do maybe...