Our first reading today at Morning Tea/Coffee Break is once more from the Apocryphal 'Book of Wisdom'.

The Foolishness of Nature Worship

New Zealand is full of scenic beauty, it is everywhere here. We are lucky to live in one of the most temperate climates and scenically beautiful countries in the world. But no matter where you live, you should be able to find some piece of nature’s beauty to appreciate and refresh your soul, Even if it is only a pot plant on your windowsill or a bunch of flowers from your local florist. But how often have human beings worshipped nature, not seeing beyond the beauty of the creation to the beauty of its Creator. They look to the stars or science and talk of it all being an accident, including our existence, instead of seeing the all too clear intelligent design and the evidence of the Creator behind it all. As Solomon says it is indeed foolishness, to worship and appreciate the creation while ignoring and shunning its Creator.

The Foolishness of Idolatry

More foolish still are those who ‘give the name ‘gods’ to the works of human hands’. Those who worship as gods, idols made of wood, stone, metal and clay. Even festooned with gold and gems they contain no sentient spirit or force, praying to them only brings the disdain and pity of the angels. How can so many be so foolish, making requests to man made objects that have no power to grant you anything. But worse still what it does bring you is the consequences of breaking God’s heart. God created you, to be in a relationship with Him and here you are worshipping some object. He considers your worship of other ‘gods’ cheating on Him. Most of us in the west, don’t worship idols made of wood, stone, metal or clay, but don't think we are any better, to many worship an idol made of paper or plastic - money. We may not bow down to it or pray to it, but we put it first in our lives and pray FOR it. All too often we choose path’s in our lives where money influences which path we will take. Or worse still in the western world, we make a god out of ourselves, worshipping the body beautiful, instead of its Creator, ultimately leading to arrogance and selfishness. Solomon is right - it is all foolishness.