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There are two types of worship to God. In the first type, an object is selected to stand as a representative of God (Pratika Upasanam). In the second type, an object pervaded by God like electric wire is worshipped (Saakshat Upasanam). In both types of worship, you must treat the object as God and this is Advaita meant for devotees. In the first type of worship both living and inert objects can stand as representatives. A statue or a devotee can be worshipped. The extent of worship is limited in the case of the statue and is unlimited in the case of a devotee. You can give food, clothes, money, etc., to the devotee and these are not necessary for the statue. Only cleaning and decoration are required for the statue.

God will never enter the inert objects (Natasya Pratima). He enters only the human being (Maanusheem tanumaasritam).
Therefore, the extent of worship is unlimited in the case of a devotee or human incarnation. Hence, while worshipping you need not worry that whether he is a devotee or a human incarnation. Whether he is a devotee or a human incarnation, you should have full faith that he is God and the worship should be complete in all aspects. You need not do the complete worship for a statue. If you do so for a statue, the priest behind the statue will snatch away the fruits of your worship. If the priest is a real devotee, it is well and good since it becomes the first type of worship.
At the Lotus Feet of His Holiness Sri Dattaswami

Anil Antony

www.universal-spirituality.org
Universal Spirituality for World Peace

For me, there are also two type of worship of God. In one type you can present your whole life to serve God as a true devotee along with your spiritual development. In second type you can serve his creatures without any ego or self-gain.

Serving others without the notion of Ego is extremely difficult when you are not directed by God in human form through His divine knoweldge. Hence recognition of God in human form in this world now, and serving Him are very important points.