I love talking with like-minded women about lots of things. It is a great way to stay connected and to learn new ideas and fresh ways of thinking. But, the other day when I was talking to a lady, I was taken back a step or two by her comments.
A lady who has a direct sales business had sent me a private message, and I responded back to her. She and I chatted about both of our companies and the things that we loved about each of them. I asked her if she had ever thought of doing more than one business, and her response is what shocked me. She said, “I only serve one god.” I thought maybe I had misunderstood her meaning. I kept trying to wrap my mind around the fact that she had just referred to her business as a god. So, I continued the conversation, talking about products, etc. I told her that I was willing to try her products and then asked her if she wanted to do the same. Once again, she replied, “we have some skincare products at my company, and I only serve one god.”
Her statement bothered me all day long; I couldn’t imagine calling a business a god. My business serves ME, but I serve the Lord. The very first commandment states that you shall not have any other gods.
Exodus 20:1-3
20 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Maybe what shocked me was her willingness to say that she put her business before everything else. I am afraid that a lot of us place a high emphasis on a lot of things, we might not be bold enough actually to call it a god or an idol. Most people want money, and we work to accumulate more money. With money, we can then buy “things” which can make life easier and more comfortable. Some people crave power, and they spend all of their time trying to get more and more power. Maybe you want a beautiful home, and you spend all of your time cleaning or decorating to make your home a place of beauty.
None of those examples are bad things, as long as they are not THE thing. We all want money, but we don’t want to let the want of money become our focus above the Lord. Power can be a great thing, especially when that power is used to create a better world for all of us. A beautiful home is a wonderful thing if it is welcoming and inviting to everyone, and not a shrine.
Deuteronomy 10:17
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
Deuteronomy 10:17 was my morning devotional, and last week in Church, my preacher also talked about there being only one true God. Then I had the conversation with the lady earlier this week; I am pretty sure that the Lord is talking to me about this subject. Am I spending too much time on other things??? Are my priorities right???
This week, I am going to be re-evaluating my priorities and making sure that I am not letting “anything” come before the Lord. It pays to remember that in 2 Corinthians 4:4, Satan is referred to as a god of this age.
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
Take extra care this week that we don’t let Satan “blind” us to the one true God!!!
Have A Blessed Day!
28 Comments
What a great message Tania!! Bless you!!
I am glad that you liked the message, Janet.
I love this message. You remind me to be reflective and take time to notice when things connect because you’re right sometimes God is sending us a message. I don’t think I always take time to notice. I might be missing out on something really good! Thank you for sharing your thoughts about God in your blog. It’s one of the many reasons that I keep following you.
Beth, I try hard to pick up on coincidences. That is when I think the Lord is guiding us, we just have to be on the lookout.
Thank you. This touched my heart.
Yay! Jamie, I am so happy that you liked this post.
Amen. Very well said. We do not serve the little g gods. We serve God!
Exactly!!!
That was a remark that would have set me back also. We only serve one God and that to me is the only one. Such a great blog today.
You really write beautiful, heartfelt Sunday messages. This lady may not have been using the word god, uncapitalized, the way we take it. Maybe she thought it was a clever way of saying she would only support her company? I dislike the way she used it and could not do business with her, she seems very narrow minded.
A wonderful message Tania and a good reminder to keep God as #1. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Oh Tania! I respect you and appreciate you so for sharing your faith in our God w us weekly!! You are SO right about God has to be our #1 priority and not letting anything else come before Him! He will richly continue to bless you for this! I love your Sunday posts!
Hi Tania. I believe I would have asked her what she meant by that. Yes, we are supposed to love everyone but we do not have to do business with everyone. I don’t think I could enter into a business relationship with someone that put work before God. Then again, it could serve as a type of outreach ministry. Hmmm… Have a nice Sunday,
Your Sunday messages are usually spot on for me. I believe God is using you to encourage and/or direct my thoughts to Him and His word. Thank you for these special nuggets of blessings.
Wise words, Tania. I once heard a good evaluation technique for this very thing. Ask yourself 2 questions 1) Do I sin to get this? Eg. put it above husband and family or deny time, money and energy that would be otherwise devoted to the Lord And 2) Do I sin if I don’t have it? Short temper, jealousy, etc. I can usually tell pretty quickly if I am making something an idol. But, if I can honestly say no to both questions, I enjoy it freely as a gift from the Lord! ❤️
Diann D – thank you for this!!
I’ve been missing a few of your weekday posts but I try never to miss your Sunday posts. I always get something useful and thoughtful from them and this Sunday is no different. I was surprised by your friend’s comment when I read it and wondered if she really understood what she was saying. Either way I’m glad it led you to write this today because it’s a good reminder to put God first. I can get caught up in day-to-day life and forget to prioritize Him and my daily readings. This will push me to do better this coming week and hopefully from now on. Have a great Sunday ?
Hi Tania, do you use a special site or service that sends you your daily devotional?
Thanks and be blessed.
Debbie
What a wonderful post! I tend to get in Gods way a lot when he is trying to help me by thinking I know best. I think that is in a way putting myself above God. Have a great day dear heart.
Funny. I have people who “stole from me things”….and my identity. and it is God who reminds me “it was never the things..it was serving him”.. so thank you for your service in inspiring us. You give women courage and hope…. In my widow journey I just laugh… I remember finding you when I thought turning 50 was the worst thing that could ever happen to me and you had great style… what I have learned is the power of God and your Sunday messages mean a lot to me.. Laura
You are so correct. It is so easy to get wrapped up in this world and not put God first. My Bible Study friends keep me grounded as we have chat that we can converse all week long. This are incredible women from all over & country and abroad. They truly help me, but it is truly so easy to let satan in. Thank you for this reminder!!
Thanks for the reminder to set our eyes and priority on God.
Amen!
as christian i believe its hard to say that we have other gods or put other things before the one true God. nonbelievers do this all the time with out a thought of what God may think. this is something to consider what or who is 1 ?
Just read Sundays blog. Thank you for sharing. Good to think about my priorities and who is on throne! Love your thoughts!
Thank you for your message on the one true God! It can be a struggle in this day and age to keep our focus on Him and let everything else come after. I appreciate your integrity!
Que bonita sua mensagem!
Fico feliz em saber que ama e serve a Deus.
just found your blog via Southern Hospitality. After reading the About page, summer wedding dress & your granddaughter’s red velvet cake I’m thrilled to find myself here. I rarely follow fashion blogs (though I like fashion) because of the emphasis on “stuff”, because I’m older (65), I’m curvier or the attire is too skimpy for my age and sensibilities. I fear appearances have become the “thing” for a lot of women. I want to be attractive, current and look good for my age but because i want those things to assist me in who I am and what I do. (also, I’m vain 😉 I love your commitment to proper prioritizing but the nicest surprise was that you didn’t just react strongly to this other women’s admission to having her business be her god, you looked inward and asked yourself if this was an area you may have allowed to get out of balance in your own life. I intend to follow your example and look at some areas of my own life that may have become too important.