“Examine me, God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test! Know my anxious thoughts! Look to see if there is any idolatrous way in me, then lead me on the eternal path!” Psalm 139:23-24 CEB

It’s easy to ignore the parts of the Bible that talk about idolatry. Our culture doesn’t bow down in worship to inanimate objects. So what areas of our lives today risk being idolatrous?

As I pondered this question, I watched our eight-year-old son, Jimmy, pick up an electronic device, speak to it enthusiastically, and then plant a big affectionate kiss square on its touchscreen.

Like Jimmy, we all love things that can’t love us back. Perhaps you are overly involved with acquiring wealth, or being popular, or consuming junk food. As for me, I’m a jack of all idolatrous trades.

What do all these modern day idolatries have in common? They have a shelf life. Economies are fragile, people are fickle, potato chips go stale. Nothing we invest in is forever—except for heaven!

Jesus said,

“Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” —Matthew 6:19-21

The Greek word Jesus uses for heart in this brief passage is καρδία (kahr-dee-ya), the source of our emotions, wishes, and desires. Just as eating too many potato chips is bad for my physical heart, the stress and anxiety that accompany earthly treasures are bad for our spiritual hearts.

We were created to anchor our emotions, wishes, and desires in eternity. As we align our passions with God’s passions, we will loosen our grip on the expiring junk that weighs us down. We will enjoy the unencumbered walk of faith alongside a Master whose yoke is easy to bear, whose burden is light.

Dear God, examine our hearts. Show us all the ways in which we are overly involved with expiring things. Help us to embrace a life of simplicity and find contentment with what you have already given us. Lead us, today and every day, on the eternal path. Amen.