What are some of the idols of the heart?
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - Repent Before God, Question 15, p. 31
Let me tell you about Andrew, a guy living in a busy city. Andrew was all about his career in finance, by nearly any measure, he did very well. He had a big house, a fancy car, and the best clothes money could buy. But underneath all that success, things weren't as perfect as they seemed.
Andrew's wife, Sarah, used to love their simple life. She admired how driven he was, but lately, she felt like she was losing him. Andrew's chase for more money took up all his time and energy, leaving little for their relationship. They barely talked anymore, and he missed family dinners all the time, choosing work meetings and networking instead.
One night, Sarah couldn't hold it in any longer. "We used to dream together about our future," she said, her voice shaking. "Now, it feels like your only dream is to make more money."
Feeling attacked, Andrew shot back, "I'm doing all this for us. Don't you get it? It's for our future!"
Sarah's eyes welled up with tears. "A future without love and connection isn't a future I want."
The Bible has some pretty clear warnings about loving money too much. In 1 Timothy 6:10, it says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." Andrew's story really shows this. His obsession with wealth was tearing apart his marriage, leaving both him and Sarah feeling isolated and hurt.
Jesus also said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." As Andrew's commitment to his job and material success grew, his relationship with Sarah suffered.
Eventually, Andrew realized his mistake. He confessed his idolatry and asked Sarah for forgiveness and promised to work on their relationship, putting love and respect first.
It's important to remember the gospel promise from Psalm 103:11-12: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." God's love and forgiveness are immense, giving us the chance to repent and heal our relationships.
Let's try to keep our hearts focused on God, valuing our relationships over material things, and embracing the endless love He offers us.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
Bible study format through Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation OR Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean?
Downloadable and reproducible version of Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation
Seminar format for either Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation or Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean?
Webinar format for Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation or Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean?
FREE Recorded webinar format for Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation
FREE Online course: Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation Self Study
Comments