God created many things to delight mankind, however, when man grabs for more—thinking that if a little bit is good, then more is better—he totally misses the point of it all. Grasping for more is appalling because it says, “there is no God” or “I do not want a God.” It is so much better to have a small amount than grab for more and feel guilt. The guilty conscience, buyer’s remorse, is an empty, dreadful feeling.

I believe this lack of faith, which has led to greed and control, has blossomed in this country. I have sympathy, and I do believe it is because we have not been taught correctly. This fearful need to take care of yourself, that God has forgotten you, is not new; the Israelites did the same thing when they grew impatient for Moses to bring God’s laws to them.

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said: “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off their ear- rings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” Exodus 32:1-4

The Israelites, despite seeing all the ways God had provided for them, made for themselves a false god to turn to—the golden calf. Controlling your life is being a god. Being our own god and providing for ourselves cuts off a relationship with God. There is nothing to praise Him for, because we took care of everything ourselves! When you want to indulge yourself when you want it and how you want it, without praying and waiting on God, it is called greed, and Ephesians 5 says that greed is idolatry.

“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Ephesians 5:5

God is looking for people who need Him, who trust and depend on Him. When we live as if we do not need God, we wind up glorifying ourselves, praising ourselves, depending on our own understanding. You might get the praise of man, but you will not get the favor of God. I would die right now if my children told me that they did not need me anymore. I appreciate being needed, and so you know God, the Creator of all, loves it even more. It robs God of His purpose of mankind—a connection with Him forever. The irony is that we are much more needy than we think. Our skin is thin, our blood vessels are thin—we are mortals. God gave us life and breath, and we need Him for life and breath— indeed, this connection with God is essential for our existence, for life and eternal life. How foolish to cut off a relationship with the God of all things—the ultimate Provider, Banker, Physician, Professor, Defender, and Comforter!

Read more in Weigh Down Works!