He received their offering, and fashioning it with a tool, made a molten calf. Then they cried, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”

Early in the next day the people sacrificed burnt offerings and brought communion sacrifices. Then they sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.

Exodus 32:4,6

Aaron received the offering from the Israelites. The offering would have been the jewelry the Israelites received when leaving Egypt. They took the very gifts God had given them and fashioned it into the god Apis. Apis promised worshippers money, sex and power. 

Like the Israelites, we can take the gifts God has given us and worship them. Or we can use the gifts he has given us to pursue other things that will never ultimately satisfy us. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. What gift of God are you tempted to worship or believe is essential to your happiness? Ask God for the grace to trust in him alone for your happiness.