All Saints Catholic Church of Milwaukee, Wisconsin echoed Jeremiah's warnings to the tribe of Judah over worshipping "backup" idols like money.

The church leaders shared this reflection based on the scripture reading from Jeremiah 11:10 on their Facebook page.

Their reflection likened Jeremiah’s warning about having many gods to an individual saving for retirement. The retiree checks his retirement account multiple times a day. He saved for 30 years, and a rising stock market enabled him to retire.

The fear exhibited by Sam is a type of idolatry, with his fear about the future keeping him from trusting and worshipping God as he should, the church said on Facebook. 

Jeremiah’s warnings to the tribe of Judah were serious, as the tribe knew that they were turning their backs on God in favor of other gods for their earthly security and depending on the Lord for their eternal life. 

“Pagan gods promised health, wealth, and fertility, so why not pray to them too, just in case?” the tribe must have thought, the church said on Facebook.

Church leaders warned that talent, money and education can also become pagan gods for us as we turn towards their promises of comfort and security rather than relying on the goodness of God to sustain us in an unpredictable world. 

“We know we’ll need God when we die, and we’ll ask Him to bless us now. But we’ll also lean on these lesser gods, just in case.”

While money, our jobs, our neighborhoods and the cars we drive might not be the same as worshipping pagan gods, they can become what All Saints called back-up idols. 

“Thank God for His many gifts, and tell Him you’re not relying on any of them. Your faith is riding entirely on Him,” the church advised on Facebook.

All Saints encouraged their parishioners to reflect and pray on the idols that might exist in their lives. 

“What good thing are you tempted to turn into an idol? How might you use this gift while still depending fully on God?," the church asked on Facebook.