American Idols
When I talk about American Idols, I'm not talking about the TV show American Idol. I'm talking about the idea of idols. Idols can be anything. Some people might have money, a big house, fame, sex as their idol. Wikipedia's definition for Idol is "An idol is a man-made object that is worshiped in some way."
Now, let me stress that there is nothing wrong with sex, fame or having money, etc. in the right context. Let's take money for example. Many well known godly people in the Bible had lots of money and wealth, like Abraham, Solomon, David and many others. The question is, where is your heart? Is your money controlling you? Are you a slave to your money? Are you focused on just on the accumulation of money? When money becomes your focus, in other words your idol, it is then when you're getting into real trouble.
It's worth thinking about. First of all, you will never experience lasting fulfilling success if your focus is on money. Bill Gates did not make his money by focusing on money. He had a passion for computers and software and money was a side effect of his passion. Besides failure, having the wrong attitude about money can cost you everything including your soul? Here is what the Bible says about money and success.
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Matthew 4:8-10 (NKJV)
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NKJV)
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23 (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV)
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 (NKJV)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
"He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25 (NKJV)
The amazing thing is that when we focus on God, he takes care of us. His promises are amazing for people that focus on him. He provides true, lasting and enjoyable success.
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Josh 1:8 (NKJV)
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Cor 9:8 (NKJV)
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalms 1:2-3 (NKJV)
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Prov 18:10 (NKJV)
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (NKJV)
Frankly, it's hard to change some of our attitudes like the one about money by ourselves, however, if we ask God, he promises to help us change from the inside out.
If today is our last day on earth...tomorrow will be too late.
If you're unsure...research it, study it...your life depends on it. And eternity is a long, long time...
Additional Resources (See our blog "successandfailure.net/blog" for more info):
Now, let me stress that there is nothing wrong with sex, fame or having money, etc. in the right context. Let's take money for example. Many well known godly people in the Bible had lots of money and wealth, like Abraham, Solomon, David and many others. The question is, where is your heart? Is your money controlling you? Are you a slave to your money? Are you focused on just on the accumulation of money? When money becomes your focus, in other words your idol, it is then when you're getting into real trouble.
It's worth thinking about. First of all, you will never experience lasting fulfilling success if your focus is on money. Bill Gates did not make his money by focusing on money. He had a passion for computers and software and money was a side effect of his passion. Besides failure, having the wrong attitude about money can cost you everything including your soul? Here is what the Bible says about money and success.
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Matthew 4:8-10 (NKJV)
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NKJV)
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23 (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV)
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 (NKJV)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
"He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25 (NKJV)
The amazing thing is that when we focus on God, he takes care of us. His promises are amazing for people that focus on him. He provides true, lasting and enjoyable success.
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Josh 1:8 (NKJV)
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Cor 9:8 (NKJV)
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalms 1:2-3 (NKJV)
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Prov 18:10 (NKJV)
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (NKJV)
Frankly, it's hard to change some of our attitudes like the one about money by ourselves, however, if we ask God, he promises to help us change from the inside out.
If today is our last day on earth...tomorrow will be too late.
If you're unsure...research it, study it...your life depends on it. And eternity is a long, long time...
Additional Resources (See our blog "successandfailure.net/blog" for more info):
Source...