Thing Worship

Thing One and Thing Two cause a great deal of trouble for Sally and Dick - but it was all started by the Cat in the Hat and all of his tricks....

Scripture Link: Isaiah 44:9-22

Things. We all have them. We all want more of them.

We want a bigger TV or the latest version of Wii. We want a new iTouch or iPhone. We want more money or a bigger house. We want new Nikes or new JBrand jeans. We want different food or different pop. We want the latest thing that our friend has...because our new thing is now old. We want...

We want and we want and we want...

But what do we need?

Wanting isn't bad. It is part of human nature to want something better than we have today; to strive for improvement in our own person; to better our own situation. This inner desire helps to move society along to advancements in medicine, charity, literature, music, education, etc. But when wanting turns to coveting (which is a fancy old-fashioned word for desiring), then we make the thing we want more important than everything else. Including our families, our friends, our churches, and most importantly: God.

Maybe your "thing" money - are you constantly worried about money or focusing on getting more money?  Maybe your "thing" is TV - are you consumed with thoughts about the latest TV show or what sports event you might be missing tonight? Maybe your "thing" is clothes - are you searching the internet or fashion magazines for the latest trends wondering how you will get your parents to buy you $295 boots or jeans?

In our scripture lesson this week God tells us that, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless.” (v. 9) When we have a “thing” first in our thoughts, first in our wants– it is an idol and it makes God anything but first in our lives.  God tells that the “things” we treasure above Him are worthless. Things – One or Two – are just tricks of this world. Things have no real value…they are worthless treasures. But God promises, “I will not forget you…Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (v 21-22) What is your Thing One or a Thing Two? God can help you “smash” your things – so that He can take the #1 spot on your want list…because He is already the #1 on your need list.

Fun Fact:

Dr. Seuss wasn't really a doctor and his name wasn't Seuss...Dr. Seuss's "real" name was: Teodor Giesel....And he went by Dr. Seuss because his father always wanted him to be a doctor...and his middle name was Seuss.

Question of the Day:

If you could change your name...what would you like to be called?