Golf or Fishing

Anything you place ahead of God in your life is an idol. It can be a car, a house, a boat, a TV show, a favorite sports star, anything that gets in the way of you worshiping God. Golf or Fishing, anything can be an idol.

When my children were younger, we would load into the van and drive to church on Sunday morning. We would pass by a golf course. I often would point out the crowded golf course and say, “Look, these people are worshipping the god of golf.” My kids would groan and say, “Dad!”  Lizzy, always assuming positive intent, would counter, “Perhaps, they went to an earlier church service.” My intention was not to pass judgement of these particular golfers. My purpose was to make a point, anything can be an idol if it is more important to us than doing the will of God. 

“But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears” (Zechariah 7:11).

The children of Israel were stubborn. They refused to abandon their worthless idols. Perhaps, they thought they could do both. They would worship God at their temple in Samaria and set up idols on every high hill in their communities.  Were they driven by fear or their own desires? I think the answer is both. They were hedging their bet. The people would worship God and if he didn’t give them what they wanted, they would ask the gods of the nations around them. They would burn incense saying, “Baal, I want a new car. “

Hoshea was the last king of Israel. He reigned in Samaria for nine years.  He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. More importantly, the people did evil in the eyes of the Lord. It is too easy to blame the leaders, when in fact it is our own fault.

The sinfulness of the people caused Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to defeat Israel. He came up to attack Hoshea, seizing him and putting him in prison. Hoshea had been a vassal to Assyria, but stopped paying tribute. Hoshea instead  made a pact with the king of Egypt, putting his confidence in Egypt, and not in the God of his forefathers.

Next Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, invaded the entire land. He marched against Samaria and laid siege to the city for three years. Can you imagine the hardship of the people during that three years?  It got worse. Shalmaneser captured Samaria and deported all of the Israelites to Assyria. 

Shalmaneser was allowed to do this because the Israelites had sinned against God, the God who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh. Instead of trusting the true god, they worshiped the worthless gods of their neighbors. They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles (idols) on every high hill and under every spreading tree. They worshiped idols and rejected the words of the prophets. The people did not observe the commands written in the word of God. 

Does God not want us to have cars, houses, jobs, vacations, etc.? Yes, he does. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Having a job is a blessing, but don’t let the job keep you from church. Of course, I know this will happen from time-to-time. This is especially true when the job is new, but soon enough you will be given the chance not to work on Sunday. Take it. Worship with the family of God needs to be a priority. Golf is a fun recreational activity. But, don’t sign up for a tee time that conflicts with God’s priorities for your life. 

You may say, “I have to work on Sunday or I won’t get the overtime that I need.” But, remember what we read in Matthew, “Seek ye first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  

Golf or fishing, anything can be an idol. Trust God’s word on this one. Prove him. I can attest that my life is an example. I’ve claimed this promise for my life and God has blessed me with good things: houses, cars, boats, and jobs. I don’t golf, but who knows? There is still time for me to take up this sport.

Also, see Priceless.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear