At the Altar… What Do You Worship?

We all have altars where we worship – places where we devote our hearts, time, and energy. Today, I invite you to examine what or who you worship.

> Matthew 22:36-38 — “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

Where do you invest your:
✅ Time?
✅ Money?
✅ Thoughts?

Let’s explore three areas where misplaced worship often happens…

1. Workplace Worship: Are You Serving God or Success?
> Matthew 6:24 — “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.”

Work is a good thing, and striving to be a faithful steward can feel satisfying—even holy. But ask yourself:
– Do you spend most of your time at work?
– Do you spend money to support or enhance your work?
– Do your thoughts revolve around meetings, performance, and evaluations?

➡ Is your toil for human approval or for God’s blessing?
> Colossians 3:23 — “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord.”

2. Relationship Worship: Who’s Your First Love?
We are capable of deep love, willing to sacrifice for those we care about. But sometimes, we place people where only God belongs.

Ask yourself:
– Does this person dominate your thoughts?
– Do you spend excessive money on them?
– Do you devote most of your time to pursuing or being with them?

➡ Are you worshiping that relationship instead of God?

3. Recreation Worship: Has Your Hobby Become an Idol?
Hobbies and passions are gifts from God. They refresh us and bring joy. But when they consume our hearts, they move from appreciation to adoration.

I know this firsthand. I used to idolize cooking. I spent:
🍴 Hours watching videos, reading recipes, and learning from chefs like Thomas Keller.
💸 Money traveling and experiencing dishes inspired by him.
💭 Thoughts consumed by the next meal I’d create.

Even something as beautiful as cooking can become an idol when it takes God’s place.

1 Corinthians 13:11 — “When I was a child, I spoke and thought as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.”

> Exodus 20:3 — “You shall have no other gods before me.”

Time for a Heart Check
Do you have a “Thomas Keller” in your life? A person, activity, or thing that dominates your:
⏰ Time
💸 Money
💭 Thoughts

If so, it’s time for a reorder.

Reorganize Your Altar
Jesus reminds us > Matthew 22:36-38 — “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

Let’s put God back where He belongs—first place. ➡ What altar are you worshiping at?