My Money, My Idols, My God

by: Christina Vargas

“All the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf.” Exodus 32:3-4

For years I'd had success - just not in the right spots. I had success in other areas of my walk with God and my family; sadly though, I struggled in my finances. I sinned against God and those I loved by misusing and abusing the seed God would put in my hand. The guilt would cause me such grief. All the while, I asked myself what more I could do with what I had. I repented, vowing again and again to cast the idol from my life.

Repeatedly, I would find myself at the altar carrying the same sorrows, until one morning when I stumbled upon this often read account. So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf.

As I visualized the Israelites taking their gold to Aaron to make the new god, I saw myself. I saw my dollars thrown into a fire to cast an idol for my worship. The images horrified me-they were my children, my home, myself, my heart.

I'd thrown money after these things in what seemed like sacrifices for them, but actually were sacrifices to them. All made in hopes that their happy faces, nice appearances, and approval would answer needs I had buried deep within me. Over time, my repentance became not about worshiping money, but about using money to worship other things.
Are you like the Israelites -- and me --throwing away the providence of the one true God to appease gods of your own making?

It has been a long, lean road to recovery for me. I still ask regularly, "God, does this purchase glorify you?" I know it sounds extreme. Yet, I must as I learn that God can handle my needs much better then me.

Are you ready to examine your spending habits?

Faith & Finances – Christian Devotions
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