Use It, Don’t Worship It

Use It, Don’t Worship It

Everything God gives us—resources, talents, positions, and possessions—are tools for His glory, not objects of our worship. We must learn to use what He gives us without letting those gifts take His place in our hearts.

1. God Is the Giver, Not the Gift Itself

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights...”

—James 1:17 (NKJV)

God is a generous Giver. He blesses us with everything we need—wisdom, talents, open doors, relationships, and even material provision. However, there is a danger: when the blessing becomes more important than the One who blessed us.

In the book of Genesis, we see how Abraham was blessed with great wealth and descendants. Yet when God asked for Isaac—his beloved son—Abraham didn’t hesitate to obey. Why? Because he loved the Giver more than the gift.

🟡 Question to reflect: What’s something God gave me that I may be holding too tightly?

2. Idolatry Is Subtle

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

—Exodus 20:3 (NKJV)

When we think of idolatry, we often imagine golden calves or statues. But idolatry today is much more subtle. It’s anything we prioritize, desire, or trust more than God.

That could be:

A relationship we refuse to surrender to Him.

A job we compromise our integrity to keep.

A phone or platform we spend hours on but barely give God time.

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts...”

—Ezekiel 14:3 (NIV)

Idols are not just physical—they live in the heart.

🟡 Challenge: What do I think I can’t live without? That may be an idol.

3. Everything Is a Tool—Not a Throne

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

—1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Your influence? A tool.

Your car? A tool.

Your phone, business, education, beauty, charisma—all tools.

God never intended for us to bow to tools. Tools are meant to build something. In this case, build His kingdom.

Your job is not your provider—God is.

Your gift is not your identity—Christ is.

Your calling is not your worth—His love is.

🟡 Action Step: Use your influence today to point someone to Christ.

4. When You Worship the Tool, It Will Fail You

“Those who make them [idols] will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

—Psalm 115:8 (NIV)

Idols are lifeless. When we trust in things more than God, we will always be disappointed. Wealth can vanish. People can fail. Fame can fade. But God never will.

Jesus said:

“No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and money.”

—Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

Notice, Jesus didn’t say you shouldn’t—He said you can’t. There’s only one throne in your heart.

🟡 Test of worship: When that thing is threatened, do you panic or pray?

5. Keep Your Eyes on Eternal Value

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...”

—Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)

God is not against you having things—He’s against things having you. He wants us to enjoy blessings, but not enslave ourselves to them.

When we invest in eternal things—serving others, spreading the gospel, loving our neighbor—we are using the tools God gave us wisely.

🟡 Eternal Focus: What you build for God will outlive you.

Conclusion: Worship the Giver, Not the Gift

Gifts fade. God doesn’t.

Use the job, but worship God.

Use the talent, but glorify God.

Use the platform, but point it to God.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

—1 John 5:21 (ESV)

This is not just a suggestion—it’s a warning and a reminder.

🔒 Guard your heart.

🔨 Use the tool.

🛐 Worship only God.