Scripture: 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. Acts 19:24-23
Observation: As Christianity spreads in Ephesus, a conflict emerges because craftsmen who make their money by creating idols are worried about losing their income. They will incite riots, and long-term become a major issue for the church in Ephesus.
For some in the crowd, this emerging confrontation is about belief systems ... about their belief in the goddess Diana and their city's responsibility to protect the temple dedicated to her. However, for most, this is about income to be lost when visitors no longer pilgrimage to the temple, and no longer purchase replica idols. In fact, even for those worried about their belief system, they likewise express concern over a loss of reputation - not just revenue - if the rest of the Greek work stops believing in Diana, as their city's status would be diminished.
Application: When the Lord tells me to have no other gods before him, he is not just talking about false gods. While there are many people who pray to idols with their own names whom they believe will bring them certain things in life, what the Lord is most concerned about is ... our pursuit of those certain things in life becoming our true gods.
God is telling us to not pursue wealth, pleasure, family, comfort, home, long life, etc. ahead of pursuing a relationship with him. This is true whether our way of pursuing such things is by praying to false gods, taking normal yet earthly actions, or by prioritizing earthly practices, ahead of him.
In Ephesus, the people were prioritizing their pursuit of honor and money ahead of their faith ... faith in Jesus, OR God, OR Diana even ... they didn't really care about any belief system as much as they cared about how that system could improve their earthly lives. Is there a thing on earth where I am doing the same? Is there some aspect of life I have prioritized - either by deed or attention - ahead of God? I no longer prioritize any job or personal status ahead of the Lord. I sometimes worry about money, yet I also have faith in how God provides for me and my family (maybe not enough faith as I sometimes do worry, but still improving). I care about my wife and children but also pray about their faith.
God isn't always my first thought, and certainly my thought life could be more Christ-centric. This is an area of improvement I should consider. And no matter what, I must take care to never allow anything other than God and Jesus to be a primary consideration in my life.
Prayer: Lord, you are my salvation, and also my only Lord. I have no other gods, and I desire to ensure I do not create a god of any earthly thing like money. I trust in your provision, not in anything I can earn, and I will hold such provision with an open hand so you can direct its use. Amen.
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