It is not everyday that I get a flash of insight into current problems, but I got something like that this morning while reading the book of Jeremiah. The thought was: Our idol is whatever we center our life around. It is the basis upon which we make our decisions.

I’ve heard many pastors say that money is a big idol in America. But I don’t think that’s the core of the problem. Money is a means to something more basic we truly want. What is it that money affords us? Why do we center our life around it? Why do we make decisions based on it? (How many of us would change our jobs to get a higher pay, for example?)

I think the essence of the idol of money is really this: Security! That is what money affords. It gives us security. Whether in the form of retirement, bank account, higher paying job, what we want is security. We want to know that we will be taken care of into our old age. We want to make sure that our current lifestyle can be sustained or even be improved upon. We want our family to be taken care of.

Now, the desire for security is a good thing. It is a good desire to work hard and to provide for the family and for our latter years (2 Thess 3:10). But I’m talking about the source of it. What is truly the source of our security? If you are feeling smug and positive about the future, is it because you have money in the bank, saved up for good many years, or is it because you trust God and Him alone?

I myself had to ask this about myself: Am I trusting my abilities and education to be able to provide for myself and my family, or am I trusting God? Am I relying on my bank account and retirement to feel secure or am I relying on God? Upon which basis am I making most of my decisions? Is it what I can afford and how much benefit it would bring to me or is it how much it would glorify Christ?

About these idols which we believe bring us security (money, health, real estate…), God said:

They are worthless, a work of delusion;

at the time of their punishment they shall perish.

Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob,

for he is the one who formed all things,

and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance;

the Lord of hosts is his name.

Jeremiah 10:15-16

Lord, save us from the false idol of whatever we think will bring us security that is not You!

Let us find security in You alone!

PH