Genesis 11:1-9

"Then they said, 'Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.'" v4
The tower of Babel was a great human achievement a wonder of the world. But it was a monument to the people themselves rather than to God. We build monuments to ourselves (expensive clothes, big house, fancy car, important job) to call attention to our achievements. These may not be wrong in themselves, but when we use them to give us identity and self worth, they take God's place in out lives. We are free to develop in many areas, but we are not free to think we have replaced God. What "towers" have I built in my life?

Taken for the NLT Life Application Study Bible.