August 19, 2021 - Acts 19:21-41
When I was pastoring my first church in Western New York, I had an opportunity to go into a factory and have Bible studies with several men from the church. The first several weeks went well and numbers grew. Then subtle conflict began to occur and soon I was not able to have the studies any longer. The company did not want conflict in the break room during work hours.
Paul had a fantastic ministry in Ephesus and God had worked through the time to bring people from all over Asia to hear of Christ’s love and life. As the two years of ministering in Ephesus concluded, Paul desired to travel through Greece and then to Jerusalem. Despite all the victories and new churches begun throughout Asia Minor, there remained many who opposed the teachings of the gospel.
Demetrius was one of those whose business and income had been affected by the preaching of the gospel. A businessman whose lifestyle depended upon the sale of idols from the temple of Diana or Artemis began to raise concerns about the decline of purchases. An accusation was stated that their sales were plummeting, and that the temple was in danger of decline as a result of Paul’s preaching.
The temple of Diana was a major contributor of the economy in Ephesus. It was one of the wonders of the world with the temple covering over the size of a football field and attracting people from all over the world. Diana was useful not only to the silversmiths but to all the businesses in Ephesus as thousands flocked to see and worship in the temple. Financial security throughout the city depended upon the temple’s prosperity and success.
When the truth of the gospel is presented, and people turn from idols to worship Christ, the impact is felt in every area of the society. Paul stated to Timothy, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10) and here we see this love being used to manipulate the crowd to oppose the message of Christ. The allegations against Paul led to a crowd forming and soon the entire city was in an uproar with many going to the amphitheater to protest.
Paul’s proclamation of the gospel affected lives, not just morally but economically as well. As the truth about idols were received, the new believers began to live and spend money differently in the city. When Christians cease to solicit the temples of today’s idols, we can expect to receive hostility as well.
J.M. Boice says it well, “… if our Christianity is not affecting the economy of our world, we do not have much Christianity. When Christians live as Christians, it will affect how they use their money…”. Examine what would cause anger or hostility if suddenly you ceased supporting that in your life. Instead of shrines and idols we may choose to spend our money today on internet, pleasures such as sports, movies or the latest fad. Are any of these things robbing your devotion from Christ?