Idolatry causes corruption. There are many idols that compete for our attention, and most of these are not, in and of themselves, evil.
Money, power and sex can all be very good things and can be used for God’s glory – in the correct context. At the same time, these are arguably three of the largest contributors to humanity’s deprived state. Why? Because when any of these is made the first priority, corruption sets in.
1. Earthly things will never satisfy us.
We will never find true contentment in anything the world offers us. The book of Ecclesiastes examines this insatiability, and explores how earthly things can never truly satisfy our deepest (and truest) desires. The eternity that God has placed in our hearts (3:11) cannot be fulfilled by anyone, or anything, other than God Himself.Chapter 1, verse 8 tells us: “the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” To quote the Greatest Showman, all the riches and pleasures and powers of the world will “never be enough”.
We all know this from personal experience too. We can chase and chase after something, sure that if we just get that promotion, girl, computer, we’ll be satisfied. And we might be for a little while, but sooner or later that satisfaction will fizzle away and we start the chase again. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money,” (5:10).
Solomon tried every earthly pleasure available to him; “whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them,” (2:10). He made great works; an architect’s dream and a landscaper’s playground; vineyards and parks and houses for a king. He had slaves to satisfy his every whim, riches and treasures, livestock and entertainers. But when he had experienced all and considered all, he found no contentment in anything he had accomplished. Instead, “all was vanity and a striving after wind,” (2:11).
2. Anything can become an idol.
You don’t have to be a squat caricature who enjoys swimming in vaults of gold to idolise money. I’ve been experiencing a significant deal of financial strain recently, and there have definitely been times through that where I’ve made money an idol. It’s easily and subtly done, and it requires constant self-examination to identify our idols.In Sunday School, idols are often introduced in an Old Testament context, and it’s easy to hold onto that view as we grow up. And, because few of us own statues of golden calves, we’re tempted to think it’s an archaic problem for the people of long ago.
But idolatry is a much more subtle and sneakier sin than that. Anything can become an idol, even (and often more easily), ‘good’ things. Marriage can become an idol, academic success can become an idol, worship music can become an idol. All are ‘good’ things, which can and should glorify God, but if they take preeminence in our lives these good things will lead to corruption.
Being too obsessed with money can lead to a spiral of greed (even if you have very little), despair and vanity. Dedication to academics above all else can lead to relationship breakdowns, pride, disappointment and a whole host of hurt. Pinning your value to career success creates a dangerous set-up where one disappointment can lead to a crushing loss of identity.
Idols are forbidden for a reason – they do not glorify God and they do not benefit us. We were not made to have idols.
3. The solution is Jesus.
Jesus is the answer (He often is). When we fix our eyes on Him, when our worlds turn around Him, everything else falls into its proper place. We enjoy the things of this world so much more when they are not our first priority. We see clearer when we look at Jesus.Money does not become an idol, but something to be stewarded. Career becomes a means to glorify God, not a cradle of our identity. When the stress of needing to succeed, in a vain effort to acquire our idols, is taken away, life becomes so much more enjoyable.
Solomon also reaches this conclusion: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from Him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” (2:24-25).
We already have an eternal hope – Jesus Christ, our salvation – so this life is not about buying our way into heaven, or about securing popularity from men. All earthly things are meaningless; only God is eternal.