Scarcity is one of the human species’ leading causes of idolatry. The idols today have evolved … subtler than graven images, or trees or rocks. Yes, we may contest that we don’t worship other things; but that is only because it happens from our subconscious — a part of our minds we have no idea of. Worship has attributes such as devotion accorded. And devotion is measured in time. If we worship God, we should have time devoted to commune with Him. And if we love Him much, a lot of our time will be spent on Him.
Idols can be defined as things we ADMIT we can’t live without, or desperately need other than God.
Money aside, we have others like ‘need for attention’. If some people are not being recognized enough, they pour their devotion and time to ensure that they get noticed — noticed on social media. If it doesn’t work, they employ froward strategies, such as inappropriate dressing, to heighten the likes count.
These idols unbeknownst to us, bewitch us to serve them. We lose control over self, having their motives running our will, subconsciously.
I remember when I didn’t have an iPhone. Those who had; especially the 13 and above versions, became idols. I hoped they made it for parties or gatherings. If they were not, I would choose their decision, not to go because the perfect picture capturers were not availing. Sometimes we treat such people nicely, even when they are out of line. Why? Because they have something that we don’t.
Beyond gadgets, this applies to toys as well. I’m not a car fan, but I’ve heard the latest G-wagons a common talk among my friends. You find those owning such being treated with exaggerated prestige and kindness, as opposed to the rest of the members in the gang. When the wagon owner asks for a favor to be done in the group chat, people hasten in the hope that they’d receive a ride in the beast, or be given a chance to steer it.
It is but as a result of scarcity.
When a few neighbors had Wi-Fi installed, and the rest of us were limited to cellular data, O how we worshipped those houses. We begged for passwords and sat near fences or visited often, just to partake of the free service. But when the lockdowns imposed the need of routers in our personal home, suddenly, the entire neighborhood equalized. What made others ‘better than us’, was now here. The idolatry ceased …
If everyone had the wagon, there wouldn’t be any unnecessary worship. When I received one of the latest iPhones, I stopped acting a fool: kissing feet just to take great pictures. A certain degree of idolatry ceases when toys become common or affordable.
He with an own house, may be worshipped by those who are still renting. But once they too get it, the previous subject may even lose significance in the relationship especially if they have been siphoning off the others’ position that seemed a disadvantage.
Same goes for architecture of bodies. Guys too admire other guys with appealing bodies; and even if muscles can be molded, if not deterred, this idolization can evolve … It can be used by the enemy or the very lust within us can lead us into temptation (James 1:14-15), and then sin: either jealousy or envy.
Jealousy is fear that one will have a thing that one has. Envy is wishing that one had what the other party has. For example, for the person with the house, he’d get jealous in case he hears his worshippers saying they are beginning construction of their own home(s). Envy is wishing that the wagon owner gave it, or pouring acid in it so that if the subject can’t have it then no one should! Envy is affiliated with the one without.
Like I said these are cases when extremity has been reached, when hearts have had seeds of wickedness groomed.
The paradox of the causes of idolization is a double edged sword: scarcity on one blade’s end and abundance on the other. Either side can cut. The guy with a small body can worship the guy with a built body, but the built guy, depending on character, can let it all go to his head and build his ego and pride. He could be aware of how he is viewed, and he’d do all he can to stay up there alone (remember the definition of jealousy) such that he can’t even share with the guys below how he got there. Or if he does, he may leave some things out so that others don’t get as built as he is, to take his spot.
But once the small guys find a way around, and their body mass is amounts, there’s going to be a problem with the big guy. The scarcity he fed on from the bottom will cease and desperation could drive him to either forcing them under him, or finding other objects to siphon from.
To sum it all up; one must know that;
Once a thing is scarce, it’d be idolized. Once it becomes abundant, it falls. (This has already been explained.)
Once a thing is abundant, it takes good character, good conduct and humility to stop it from becoming an idol in the eyes of those who have less of it, or little access to it. This can be through how we walk (live) and talk. Telling people; they too can drive a wagon, or own the latest Samsung keeps us from being puffed up, making a thing common in a subtle way. I used to tell myself ‘It is not a miracle to have the latest iPhone. Solomon made gold as common as stones in his day. And if gold was common, then surely, this less precious thing shouldn’t be so hard to own.’
In my speech and perception, I killed the ability of mind to make an idol of things even with scarcity of them. Understanding as well, that these objects can be lost; should keep us humble. It is a hard fall if one who has all these things, (especially if they are proud and arrogant) gets robbed of all of them (the phones, cars) including his or her house getting crashed. Suddenly they will realize they have to turn to those they mocked for help.
This is what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Being king of Babylon — the strongest domain then — he lifted himself up in pride, and God made him mad, eating grass like an animal for seven years. He lost it all just to learn that humility, and to acknowledge the power that gives us all as stewards, and not owners.
The other solutions are consecration/death, and maturity. Killing of the senses not by our might, but by God. For example; He says, walk by faith and not by sight. That kills the ability of your eyes to influence your thoughts to crave what you may not have. Faith made Abraham not to covet other fathers, for God had named him ‘father’, so it was as good as done. Only a matter of time needed to pass.
Consecration refers to separating. In ancient texts, it was signified by circumcision (the cutting away of the foreskin). This means God will take you through seasons of cutting away things that could fuel idolization in you, until purity is attained. Rarely does the foreskin grow back; so when the things come, it’ll be hard for you to make a whole deal out of them.
Being content with what you have is another safeguard. This usually comes with maturity, following the earlier mentioned. When I was younger, I used to admire some specific rich relatives. When I grew up, and I was making my own money, I realised their kids, even if we were the same age, still asked their parents for money for some needs, which I’d afford myself. I stopped the worship, for as an individual, I was better off. My childhood philosophy was blurred. I’d just received focused vision.
I pray for you, that you have no other god besides Him. I pray you remain humble when you get it all. And may you work hard to attain all you need in life, so that you don’t covet others to an unnecessary degree. I pray God cuts away your weaknesses and helps tame your emotions. May He kill your senses in this regard, and continue maturing you and granting you that good contentment for what you have. In Jesus’ name.
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