"...Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matt 6:24.
In their preaching, many pastors asked their congregations to examine themselves. "You may not be worshipping idols, but is mammon your idol? Are you worshipping wealth and materials? Do you care more about pursuing money, fame and power?"
"Idols" are spiritual in nature. Most idols are benevolent and generous, otherwise few would be interested in them. People worship idols for health and wealth, for power, for good luck, for all kinds of blessings. Often, these idols would oblige them generously in return for their worship.
"Mammon" is not idol. Mammon are things of the world. They are non spiritual, hence they do not require anyone to worship them. Mammon could be anything of worldly value - such as the pursuit of money, wealth, power, fame, beauty, wisdom, worldly success and longevity. Mammon distract us from God. Mammon are also used by idols to separate us from God.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:37-39.
Avoid both idols and mammon.
