Modern Idolatry

When we read about idolatry in the Old Testament, we think of people worshiping images carved from wood or molded from metal. Modern people cannot relate to that behavior. The Bible teaches that while we have become more sophisticated in how we practice idolatry, we still practice idolatry today.

“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which amounts to idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). The Greek word for covetousness is pleonexía. It is the desire for more (things), the lusting for a greater number of temporal things than what God determines is eternally best for us. We break God’s commandment against idolatry when we covet, when we are greedy.

Jesus taught, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of covetousness; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

Solomon addressed this issue in Proverbs 30:8-9, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is YEHOVAH?” Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

Solomon is echoing Moses words in Deuteronomy 8:14 when he warned the people that as they prospered in the Promised Land that “your heart will become proud, and you will forget Yehovah your God.” They will think, “My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth” when in reality “it is Yehovah who is giving you power to make wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

Paul demonstrated the proper approach to material possessions. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

When Paul enjoyed prosperity, he gave his resources to fund his missionary journeys and support churches in need. When Paul was suffering need, he relied on God to provide. Paul had confidence that God would not have called him to evangelize and plant churches without also providing the necessary resource for that work. He had to be patient, step out in faith and trust God.

From a global perspective, we live in the wealthiest nation on earth. We will give an account for how we used our resources. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more” (Luke 12:48).

We must use our resources to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. We must support our local churches, missionaries and community outreach e.g. crisis pregnancy centers. Jesus asked, “If then you have not been faithful with earthly wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:11).