“The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint. The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.” – Isaiah 44:12-14, 18 NIV

There is so much wasted effort in making an idol. You see the blacksmith getting tired and using his strength and needing sustenance. You see Carpenter using all of his tools, and putting so much effort into making an idol as well. There is so much concentration involved in the process of both of these men, and yet it is wasted on something that cannot see or understand or do anything for them or anyone. Imagine what would happen if both these men work together to create something that benefits society. Imagine how useful it could be. We waste so much time in our pursuit of sin. We waste so many resources and so much energy in our pursuit of sin that could be used for so much more. Give your time resources and energy to God, and not to sin and selfish pursuits. You can then produce something useful and not waste time and skill and such.