What are the four substitutes for God identified by Jesus?

• A. Fame, pleasure, power, and honor.
• B. Wealth, pleasure, power, and fame.
• C. Time, pleasure, power, and honor.
• D. Wealth, pleasure, power, and honor.

Answer: (D)

In Jesus’ teaching, true allegiance is tested by what we rely on for security, satisfaction, and status. He highlights four common substitutes for God: wealth, pleasure, power, and honor. Wealth stands in for security and identity—trusting money more than God, what he calls serving Mammon. Pleasure represents self-gratification and desires that pull the heart away from God. Power is the urge to control outcomes, people, or events, seeking influence rather than service and obedience. Honor refers to public recognition and status, craving the esteem of others rather than the approval of God. Taken together, these form the familiar idols that people often pursue instead of God, which is why wealth, pleasure, power, and honor is the best answer. The other options mix in items Jesus didn’t typically name as the four primary substitutes, so they don’t capture the same fourfold focus.