Acts 19: 23-27
About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way.
Here's the intro to an almost-riot over financial danger.
For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines to Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen;
This Demetrius was a leader among the craftsmen in the area, with influence.
these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business.
His speech begins on a financial footing, as a businessman talking to other business owners.
"You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all.
"Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute,
He contends that this Paul is convincing too many people to give up their idols, and is cutting into their business; they are in danger of losing money!
"but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the World worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence."
Then he goes from money to religion. He doesn't want the goddess they worship to lose her worshipers; he thinks her honor depends on them.
And he is a convincing speaker, as these idol-makers start to chant, and they gather a crowd that gets so worked up that they keep up the chanting for two hours! (See Acts 19: 28-34.)
Then the town clerk steps up to talk reason into the crowd (Vs. 35-41), because many of them didn't even know why they were there (v. 32).
So this whole brouhaha came about because these guys who were making money off of idol worship got upset that their income was going to decline. Follow the money.
So much persecution comes when people are afraid of losing money.
Or they're afraid they won't be able to sufficiently protect and defend their deity, as though it depends on them.
There are so many who are just chasing money. They don't realize that money is just a tool, and if they make it an end, they will never be satisfied, no matter how much they amass. Money cannot fill that God-shaped void each person has in himself.
People try to fill that emptiness with all kinds of things of this World, but they will never be satisfied until they come to know the Father through the Son.
Many of God's own children are confused about this issue. Some disdain having much money at all, thinking it is "filthy lucre," and mis-quote the verse, thinking that money is the root of evil, when it is a tool. It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil.
I Tim 6:10 says that the love of money seduces people from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Those who make amassing money a goal, will never reach that goal, never have enough money. So they "pierce themselves through with many sorrows." They do it to themselves. They think that money will bring happiness. But the joy of the Lord is so much better than mere happiness.
O my Father, please show Your children the proper place of this tool in their attitudes and lives. With more tools, we can do more work toward the Kingdom, and You are the one who gives us the ability to earn a living.
Father, help us all to recognize You as Provider, and not depend on how much money we have, but depend on You as our Source. And show us how to enjoy the bounty You grant us as we use the resources we have for the promotion of Your Kingdom, Father.
May we use our means to finance Your Kingdom, Father. To send and to go to the fields ripe for harvest, in all the World, every Nation and people group, where Your lost lambs are searching.
That Your house will be full, and every place will be occupied at Your grand banquet table.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
