Read: Acts 19.21-20.38
Verses chosen for reflection
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Reflect:
Demetrius was preaching the "gospel of wealth" and he was pretty effective with it. He painted the bleak scenario that they might lose their wealth and reputation if the Apostle Paul was allowed to continue to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to the prospect of losing their wealth, Demetrius also preached that the people might lose their great goddess Artemis, whom they had come to worship and relied upon for the blessing of wealth for a long time. Demetrius' "gospel" was so effective that many of these tradesmen caused a riot and wanted to get rid of Paul and some of the believers at Ephesus.
Relate:
The "gospel of wealth" is not a new idea. It was preached in the past as an opposition to the true Gospel of Christ. It is being preached right now in our country and at times, right "under our noses" in certain churches. The sad thing is that now, the gospel of wealth is not preached by the Demetrius of the day; but it is preached by persons who call themselves followers of Christ.
And now, the gospel of wealth is not placed as a direct opposition to the true Gospel of Christ; but such "gospels" are positioned as half truths. And the sadder thing is, like many tradesmen of Acts 19; many believers flocked to align themselves with such gospels of wealth or what we call the prosperity gospel. The prosperity gospel is popular because like Acts 19, it speaks to the idols of our lives - an over reliance on material comfort and wealth. A suggestion, that on the one hand, we can have eternity; yet on the other, we hang on to the materialism of this world. Yet Jesus often spoke that we can only choose one or the other.
The prosperity gospel preacher assured that the Gospel of Christ is not opposed to the accumulation of wealth or having a greed for it. In fact, bible verses are taken out of context to speak of God promoting materialism. Untruths wrapped in "popiah" paper of bible verses. And that is deception that can only be inspired by the father of all lies.
As believers, we have to decide. We have to decide if what we are believing, is from the sinfulness of men; or from the Gospel as preached by Jesus and the Apostles. If we come to understand that Demetrius then, a worshipper of Artemis and wealth opposed the Gospel of Christ; why then are believers turning to the Artemis of today? Are we then not also opposing the Gospel and risk our relationship with God?
Rest:
May the Lord break the power of false teachings and preaching in the church and turn the hearts of men and women, towards what is truth as found in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jason
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