Scripture:
Daniel 5:1-9
Tue, 30 May 2023

Idolatrous Use of God’s Things

Observation:

What reality does Belshazzar’s act in verse 4 point to?

Deeper Reflection
The “gold and silver vessels” taken out of “the house of God” by Nebuchadnezzar belonged to God (vv.2-3). And these holy vessels which were consecrated by God “represented the God of Israel”57 . So, when Belshazzar and his party guests “drank the wine” with God’s holy vessels and “praised” their idols (v.4), they were in reality using God in idolatry.We can commit the same evil as Belshazzar, although not in the same way. We can misuse and abuse the things of God. “Just as Belshazzar used the temple vessels to praise his false gods, so too we take the things that belong to God and use them to feed our lusts and idolatries.”58 God is the Creator of all things, and thus, all things belong to God. Money belongs to God. God says, “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine” (Hag 2:8). The pagans use the silver and gold that belong to God to make “gods of gold and silver” and worship them. We can make money, which belongs to God, to become gods that we worship. When Jesus warns us, “You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matt 6:24), He is implying that money can very easily become a god that we will serve. And why does Jesus exhort us, “Do not worry about your life”, in a long discourse (Matt 6:25-34) immediately after His warning, “You cannot serve God and wealth”? Worry about life can lead to worshipping money. The safeguard is: Seek first the kingdom and the righteousness of our Heavenly Father who knows our needs and provides them (Matt 6:32-33).
57 Christopher J. H. Wright, 110 58 Iain M. Duguid, 85
Application:

How can I guard myself against using the things of God in an idolatrous way?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To guard against any form of idolatry in their lives and ministry
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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