During yesterday morning's message, I quoted from Tim Keller's book Counterfeit Gods. You can order it directly from Amazon by clicking here. I highly recommend it.
Here's the quote:
"Sin in our hearts affects our basic motivational drives so they become idolatrous, 'deep idols.' Some people are strongly motivated by a desire for influence and power, while others are more excited by approval or appreciation. Some want emotional and physical comfort more than anything else, while still others want security, the control of their environment. People with the deep idol of power do not mind being unpopular in order to gain influence. People who are most motivated by approval are the opposite--they will gladly lose power and control as long as everyone thinks wells of them. Each deep idol--power, approval, comfort, or control--generates a different set of fears and a different set of hopes.
" 'Surface idols' are things such as money, our spouse, or children, through which our deep idols seek fulillment. We are often superficial in the analysis of our idol structures. For example, money can be a surface idol that serves to satisfy more foundational impulses. Some people want lots of money as a way to control their world and life. Such people usually don't spend much money and live very modestly. They keep it all safely saved and invested, so they can feel completely secure in the world. Others want money for access to social circles and to make themselves beautiful and attractive. These people do spend their money on themselves in lavish ways. Other people want money because it gives them so much power over others. In every case, money functions as an idol and yet, because of various deep idols, it results in very different patterns of behavior.
"The person using money to serve a deep idol of control will often feel superior to people using money to attain power or social approval. In every case, however, money-idolatry enslaves and distorts lives."
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