Sure, we know that we're not to worship anything besides God. But I believe we have a very narrow definition of "worship."
This year I've been reading through the Old Testament, and I've noticed something: generally, when Israel worshipped idols, they were putting their trust in those idols. When we speak of idols in our churches, typically we point to things that we really, really love that takes away from our love of God. But for Israel, more was at stake. They understood (more fully than we do) that they had very little control over most of their circumstances. They got crops when it rained. People lived longer when there was a spell with few outbreaks of diseases.
But when things didn't go well, they suffered. And sometimes, they would look around and notice that nearby populations outside Israel were enjoying better circumstances. Some saw that they followed other gods, so they followed suit. Israel didn't just love their false gods; they trusted in them instead of Yahweh.
For Israel, there were times when just following Yahweh wasn't doing the trick. So they trusted other things. Do we fool ourselves into thinking that we're too sophisticated to fall into the same trap? What do we trust in more than God?
For me, the list is embarrassingly long. Money and resources. My education. My own abilities. My work ethic. And far more that I don't care to share here.
What about American churches? What do we trust in more than God? As a pastor, asking the question alone leaves me convicted and ashamed, because again, the list is long, and I contribute more than my fair share to the problem. To put it simply, I believe that we--as a whole--trust more in our methods and resources than we do in God.
Here me well: I understand that God has given us spiritual gifts and material resources to use for his glory and to see people come to know Jesus. I believe that we should use tools and methods to reach people for Christ, including great music, fun youth programs, statistical analysis, and new church buildings. But just as Israel took raw material--given to them by God--and turned them into idols, we've done the same thing with what God has given us.
By all means, utilize what God has given you--whether spiritual gifts, or a building, or charisma, or a great worship band--to glorify him. But let us repent when we fall into the trap of putting our trust in the gifts rather than the gift-giver.
Jeremiah 10:1-5:
Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the LORD:
"Learn not the way of the nations,
nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens
because the nations are dismayed at them,
for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down
and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.
They decorate it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so that it cannot move.
Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
and they cannot speak;
they have to be carried,
for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them,
for they cannot do evil,
neither is it in them to do good."
