What God
Good Morning,
Off to the motorcycle track on Sunday morning… the riders have been thinking about riding for days; they even dressed up for the day and spent quite a bit of money for their religion (and do so on a weekly basis).
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
There they are on Sunday morning… getting dressed up in some quite expensive, color-coordinated clothing to climb on a very expensive bicycle to spend their Sunday morning away from family to worship their god.
These people act as if they are not religious and that nice clothes offend them. They criticize the church goer for getting cleaned up and dressing their best for God. The leather jackets and chaps that Harley-riders wear are very expensive. They buy the most expensive sunglasses and helmets, and the motorcycles they ride, maintain, and keep sparkling clean are incredibly expensive. All of the details and possessions involved with this lifestyle are a part of their religion. They spend their Saturdays or Sundays riding around accomplishing little; it is their religion, it is what they do.
Deuteronomy 11:16 “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;”
1 Kings 9:6 “But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:”
The element that sets all of these religions apart is the fact that if one follows the gods of this world, he is expected to forsake the God of Heaven, His Book, His people, and His church. God tells us not to forsake these things in order to follow the gods of sports, motorcycles, or bicycles.
2 Chronicles 7:19 “But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;”
Those who follow the god of the world would rather put their children in beautiful, matching outfits and spend time teaching them about their god and their religion than placing them in a Sunday school class and church. Much of the family gathers together to be involved in this family religion. Dressed in their nice clothes, they pile into the car; sometimes they even bring some food, knowing they will spend much of their Sunday with their god in their religion. It could be softball or soccer, but athletics is their religion, and there is no doubt about it. Their money, time, and fancy clothing are all elements — it is their religion. Of course, they have no time for the hypocrites or dressy clothing of people at the church. They state, ”The weekend is the only time we have to play ball."
Do not talk to me with an insulting tone about my putting on a suit and tie and carrying a Bible. I will take my Saturday and Sunday and go off to meet with those who believe as I believe. Do not insult me by criticizing my spending money on clothes and the God Whom I serve. At least the God I serve is alive. The God I serve is eternal. The God I serve will take care of me when I am old, and He will give me an eternal home when I leave this world.
Did you ever see a fat man dressed up in bright colored spandex peddling his bicycle? (They say we are weird with our religious beliefs!)
Do not be found forsaking the Lord while serving the gods of this world. Most people have a religion, even if it simply involves sitting around all weekend drinking beer and watching television. A person’s god is revealed by where he puts his time and money, and often he forsakes his family to be 100% into his religion. Many a man has lost his family over the god of beer.
Where your treasure of time and money is, there is your God —my God is wonderful!
Pastor