And learned their practices,
And served their idols,
Which became a snare to them,
They even sacrificed their
sons and their daughters to the demons" Psalm 106:35-37
This might not seem relevant to our society, but it is. And it is quite scary.
What are the accepted and loved idols of our day?
Fame
Money
Success
Material Possessions
Youth
Beauty
Sex
There is nothing wrong with any of these if they aren't worshiped and if they are like a by-product of where God leads us. But too often we Believers pursue these things has hard as our non-believing friends and neighbors. When we do this what are we telling them?
We are saying our lives are no different than theirs. We are saying that what the world offers is better than what God promises us. And if we pursue things we are sacrificing our children to them. For they learn what is important by watching us. We are sacrificing their faith, their futures for pleasures that don't last long.
Check yourself. Examine your life. What are you living for? What are you working for?
Jesus tells us not to work for the food that perishes but for God.
The difference can be quite subtle. God may call you to do the same exact job you are doing now, but when you do it for Him you have an entirely different outlook on what your days are filled. Instead of filled with business appointments and details they are filled with divine appointments and possibilities of sharing Jesus with those who desperately need Him.