Idols
“I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
When Mahmud, the conqueror of India, had taken the city of Gujarat, he proceeded, as was his custom, to destroy the idols. There was one, 15 feet high, which its priests begged him to spare. Deaf to their pleas and seizing a mallet he struck it one tremendous blow. To his amazement, from the shattered image there rained down a shower of priceless gems, mostly pearls and diamonds. It was a treasure of inestimable value, long hidden within the idol. Had he spared the idol he would have lost all that wealth.
Let’s not spare our idols — the things dear to our hearts apart from Christ. It is in our best interest to demolish them. If we shatter them, there will rain about our hearts the treasures of heaven. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven … for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21). These treasures are the treasures that are lasting and eternal.
