2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
In the 19th Chapter of the book of Acts, we find that Paul incited a riot in Ephesus. Paul preached the Truth of the Gospel of Christ which denounced all other gods. His Message was not received well by many and in Ephesus, it caused a great disturbance.
There was a magnificent temple in Ephesus called the Temple of Diana. It was also called the Temple of Artemis. It was built in 550 BC and was huge measuring 425 feet long by 220 feet wide. It had 127 columns that were each 60 feet tall. The floors were made of solid pure white marble and the temple was adorned with beautiful statues. This building was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Diana was the goddess of fertility and the people worshipped her. Silversmiths in Ephesus made small silver pieces of her standing in front of her temple and sold them to people. Everyone had such a piece because it was believed to bring them good luck, fertility, and prosperity.
Due to the popularity of the good luck pieces, the silversmiths in the area became very wealthy. The head silversmith was a man named Demitris and when he found out that Paul was preaching faith only in Jesus Christ, he became greatly threatened. Fearful that he may lose his livelihood and place in the silversmith community, he called all the silversmiths together to talk to them. And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” (Acts 19:23-27)
His talk to all the silversmiths in Ephesus incited a riot. Their welfare was at stake! If Paul was allowed to continue to preach the Gospel of Christ, the people would stop believing in the goddess Diana and no longer buy their silver good luck charms. They had to stop him! Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. (Acts 19:28-29)
It was all about the money and unfortunately, in many cases, it still is today. True Ministry of the Gospel of Christ is not about money. Nothing of God should be sold because nothing of God can be purchased with money.
The leaders of much of the Church today have become much like the silversmiths in Ephesus. Their “ministry” is their livelihood; their business; the source of their income. Jesus said, Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8) Paul said, For we are not, as so many, peddling the Word of God; (2 Corinthians 2:17) Is your ministry your life or your livelihood?
Jesus is soon coming back for His Bride; the Church; a Church without spot or wrinkle.
He will soon……..….turn the tide
Freely I have received. Freely I give, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
