Attack On Idols- Excess
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Attack on idols – Week 5: Excess
We live in a culture of “too much”—too much wine, wealth, pleasure, and distraction. But like King Belshazzar in Daniel 5, excess only leaves us empty. God calls us to weigh what matters and trade the idol of excess for the essential: Jesus. In Him, we find the only life that truly satisfies. Week 5 of our series Attack On Idols we dive into this concept and learn how to combat the idol of excess.
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Attack on Idols: Excess
Daniel 5 | October 9/12
Living in the Land of Too Much
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get caught in the cycle of “too much”? Eat too much. Scroll too much. Work too much. Spend too much. Sleep too much. We live in a culture where excess isn’t just tolerated—it’s expected, even celebrated.
Think about it: history is full of stories of “too much.” The Titanic was built with too much pride. Jordan Belfort—the “Wolf of Wall Street”—chased too much greed. The housing market crash of 2008 was caused by too much speculation. Even our personal lives show signs of excess—storage units overflowing, closets packed, credit card debt piling up.
But why do we keep going back to excess? Because it feels good—at least for a moment. Excess provides a dopamine hit, a release of stress, or even a temporary sense of identity. But here’s the truth: our bodies may be wired for reward and pleasure, but our souls are wired for God. And no amount of “too much” can fill the space only He was meant to occupy
The Idol of Excess in Daniel 5
Daniel 5 tells the story of King Belshazzar, who threw a feast filled with excess. It wasn’t just a party—it was a celebration of indulgence. The king’s excess showed up in three dangerous ways:
1. Excess of Wine
The people drank until they were drunk, and in his intoxication, Belshazzar made a disastrous decision—he mocked God by using the sacred vessels from the temple. Scripture warns us: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Drunkenness clouds judgment, and throughout history, countless lives have been ruined by decisions made under the influence of “too much.”
2. Excess of Women
Belshazzar gathered all his wives and concubines—because one wasn’t enough. Our culture may not legally allow multiple marriages, but we practice the same spirit of excess: adultery, pornography, casual hookups, and the constant message that sexual purity is outdated. Yet God calls His people to holiness and singular devotion in their sexual relationships (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:27–28).
3. Excess of Wealth
The Babylonians worshiped their gods of gold, silver, iron, and wood. Today, money and possessions often hold the same place of worship in our lives. Jesus knew wealth would be His greatest rival in the human heart—He spoke about money more than He did about heaven or hell. Nearly 15% of His recorded teachings and more than 2,000 verses in the Gospels deal with money and possessions. If we’re not careful, money stops being a tool and becomes a master.
The Writing on the Wall
Belshazzar thought his excess made him untouchable—but then God showed up. In the middle of the party, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin” (Daniel 5:26–28).
Daniel interpreted the message:
You have been numbered. Belshazzar’s days were limited, and so are ours. Every one of us has a beginning and an end. The question is: will we use our days chasing excess or living for God’s glory (Matthew 6:19–21)?
You have been weighed. Belshazzar’s life didn’t measure up. All the excess in the world cannot tip the scales in our favor. Only surrender to Christ can. Not a cheap grace that lets us say “yes” to Jesus while still clinging to excess, but a costly grace that calls us to lay down what distracts us and be engrossed in Him.
You have been judged. That very night, Belshazzar lost his life and his kingdom. Judgment is not just an Old Testament theme—it’s reality for all of us. The question is whether we’ll build a life consumed by excess or a life rooted in Jesus, who promises eternal hope.
Choosing the Essential
The antidote to excess isn’t moderation—it’s devotion. It’s not about simply cutting back, but about filling up with what matters most: Jesus Himself. When Daniel was offered wealth for interpreting the king’s dream, he refused the extras. He knew that no earthly “reward” compared to being engrossed in God’s call.
Jesus put it plainly: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). But the abundant life He promises isn’t found in more wine, more wealth, or more pleasure. It’s found in Him alone.
Final Word
Excess is easy. It’s everywhere. But as followers of Christ, we’re called to something different. To weigh what matters. To cut through the noise. To attack the idol of excess by being engrossed in the essential: Jesus.
Because when He fills your life, you won’t just have enough—you’ll have everything you need.
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Small Group Curriculum: Attack on Idols
Small Group Curriculum – Week 5 PDF
Small Group Curriculum – Week 5
Series: Attack on Idols
Week 5 Title: Excess
Main Scripture: Daniel 5:25–28 (NLT)
Big Idea: Attack the idol of excess by engrossing yourself in the essential — Jesus.1. Connect (Icebreaker)
Option A (Fun): What’s the funniest or most embarrassing time you “overdid it” (food, shopping, social media, etc.)?
Option B (Thought-provoking): Why do you think our culture celebrates “more” even when it often makes us miserable?
Transition: Excess promises life but leaves us empty. Let’s see how God calls us back to what really matters.
2. Discover (Scripture & Discussion)
Read Daniel 5:25–28 (NLT):
"This is the message that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is what these words mean: Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end. Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up. Parsin means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.’”Discussion Questions
What does “numbered, weighed, and divided” reveal about Belshazzar’s life of excess?
Where do you see excess most celebrated in today’s culture?
Why do you think excess often leads to emptiness instead of fulfillment?
What does it practically look like to focus on the essentials instead of the extras?
Dig Deeper Scripture: Matthew 6:19–21 (NLT) — “Don’t store up treasures here on earth… Store your treasures in heaven… Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
How does this verse challenge how we spend time, money, and energy?
What would change if your heart’s treasure was fully in Christ?
3. Respond (Application & Prayer)
Personal Application
Where in your life are you most tempted to live in excess (money, time, relationships, habits)?
What one step could you take this week to eliminate excess and focus on the essential?
Group Prayer Prompt
Pray for freedom from excess in every area of life.
Ask God to reorient hearts toward what truly matters: His presence and His purposes.
Challenge for the Week
Memory Verse: John 10:10 (NLT).
Next Step: Choose one area of excess in your life and replace it with one Christ-centered practice this week (example: replace scrolling with prayer, overspending with generosity, overeating with fasting, etc.).
⏱️ Designed for 45–60 minutes:
Connect (10–15 min)
Discover (25–30 min)
Respond (10–15 min)
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CONWAY-coming soon
AYNOR-coming soon
SOUTH STRAND-coming soon