Idolising business
Do we follow Jesus so that we can “get into heaven?” Sure, it’s part of it, but if we’re not careful this approach can lead us further away from Jesus and an eternity with Him. Idolatry isn’t defined by by the worship of statues. It’s defined by a transaction mentality, a desire to manipulate in order to gain. The Idolising business characterises every religion except for genuine Christian faith. What can we learn from Scot Adams heart wrenching statement and the contrast between Paul and Demetrius, to ensure that we stay on God’s path to eternity instead of trying to forge our own?
Scripture
Acts 19:21-41 ESV Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” [22] And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. [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.” [28] When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” [29] So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. [30] But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. [31] And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. [32] Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. [33] Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. [34] But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” [35] And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? [36] Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. [37] For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. [38] If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. [39] But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. [40] For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” [41] And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Through the Scripture
Search us and lead us to eternal life
The declaration of a terminal man is an attractive risk reward proposition. It is not our business to decide whether he is with Jesus or not, that’s between him and Jesus. But we are encouraged to ask God to test our own hearts to see what’s in them, and to ask Him to guide us to eternal life with Him.
Psalms 139:23-24 ESV Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! [24] And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
God determines Paul’s will and his work
There’s a stark contrast in today’s reading between Paul and Demetrius. Both lead people, both are working “in religion”, but they are vastly different. Their methods and motives are opposite. Paul is all about God’s will, Demetrius is all about his own will. It’s wonderful how Paul’s will is conformed to God’s, and as Acts unfolds you see him following exactly the path described, but by very different means to what he thought. We also see the difference betweens Paul’s use of the pagan festival and Demetrius, by Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9.
Acts 19:21-22 ESV Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” [22] And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 ESV But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, [9] for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Demetrius and the business of idolatry
Demetrius is using people to protect his wealth, reputation and pride, and appeals to the crowds desire for the very same to manipulate them into taking action against Paul and the Gospel of Jesus, which has already turned people away from their idolatry and will turn more away from gods made by human hands. Idolatry is a business, it’s about transactions and it’s goal is transactions. Idolaters try to make deals with gods to get what they want, they try to use the gods for their own purposes, and they will try to use other people in the same way. Demetrius doesn’t help anyone, they don’t even know why they’re there, even if he is acting to preserve their income, what is that when compared with what they lose by worshipping demons?
Acts 19:24-27 ESV 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.”
Acts 19:18-19 ESV Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. [19] And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Acts 19:32 ESV Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21 ESV No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. [21] You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
What must we do to inherit eternal life?
“So here I go, I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and I look forward to spending eternity with Him”. Looking at this statement is exactly that, it’s not looking at the man’s heart only Jesus knows his heart, but is the statement more like Paul or more like Demetrius? What can we learn from the statement, Paul and Demetrius to apply to our own lives? Can you look forward to an eternity with someone that you don’t even know? Faith is not a transaction it’s a living growing relationship.
Luke 18:18-19 ESV And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [19] And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Matthew 7:22-23 ESV On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
John 17:3 ESV And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Romans 10:9-11 ESV because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [11] For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Our sinful acts earn us nothing good
We can’t know the outcome of this man’s declaration, but we have learned from Scripture what is genuine faith and what is false. There is however a record in Scripture of a dying man’s interaction with Jesus where we do know the outcome - and it starts with a confession of weakness.
Luke 23:39-41 ESV One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” [40] But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds…
Jesus perfect purity earned our salvation
This man didn’t try to convince anyone of his worthiness, not even Jesus. He freely admitted his unworthiness, but then immediately confessed Jesus’ worthiness. It’s one thing to say that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, but do we know why?
Luke 23:41 ESV …but this man has done nothing wrong.”
Humble trust and submission isn’t a transaction it’s a surrender
This man doesn’t claim or plead or bargain for an outcome, he expresses faith and submits to God’s will and His outcome - that’s completely opposite to the business of idolatry. We need to ask ourselves today, are we bargaining with God to get to heaven or have we given up on our own abilities, abandoned our self-centred agenda and subitted to His authority to trust in His Grace? How awesome is the outcome when we do.
Luke 23:42-43 ESV And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” [43] And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Daily Devotions
Monday: Examining the Heart for Eternal Life
Today's Verse Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)
Reflection It is not our business to decide the eternal destination of another; that matter is strictly between that person and Jesus. However, we are encouraged to ask God to test our own hearts to see what resides within them. We must ask Him to guide us specifically toward eternal life with Him. By inviting Him to know our thoughts and search for any grievous ways, we submit to His leading on the everlasting path.
Additional Scripture
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. (Acts 19:21-23)
Life Application Instead of spending time evaluating the sincerity of other people's faith, turn your focus inward. Ask Him to show you if there is anything in your life or your heart that is not aligned with His will. Be willing to let Him prune away what is wrong so that He can lead you more clearly.
Prayer points
Pray that He would search your heart and reveal any hidden sin.
Ask Him to lead you daily on the path to eternal life.
Pray for the humility to accept His testing of your thoughts.
Tuesday: Yielding the Will to His Work
Today's Verse Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)
Reflection There is a stark contrast between those who serve their own interests and those whose wills are conformed to His. It is God who works within the believer, providing both the desire and the capacity to do what pleases Him. When our will is conformed to His, we follow the path He describes, even if the means are different from what we originally expected. He determines the work and provides the open doors for effective ministry, even in the midst of many adversaries.
Additional Scripture
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” (Acts 19:21)
But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:8-9)
Life Application Consider whether your plans are born of your own desires or if you have resolved in the Spirit to follow His lead. Trust that He is the one working in you. When you face obstacles or adversaries, remember that He is the one who opens the doors for His good pleasure.
Prayer points
Ask Him to conform your will to His perfect will.
Thank Him for working in you to accomplish His purposes.
Pray for the strength to walk through the doors of service He opens for you.
Wednesday: Rejecting the Business of Idolatry
Today's Verse “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. 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.” (Acts 19:26-27)
Reflection Idolatry is essentially a business characterized by a transaction mentality. It involves trying to make deals with gods to get what we want or using people to protect our own wealth, reputation, and pride. This is a desire to manipulate in order to gain. In contrast, genuine faith leads people to confess and divulge their practices, even burning away the things they once valued for the sake of the Lord. We cannot participate with the table of demons and the table of the Lord; we must choose His way over the business of self-interest.
Additional Scripture
For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.” (Acts 19:24-25)
Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. (Acts 19:18-19)
No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)
Life Application Examine your motives for following Jesus. Are you seeking a relationship with Him, or are you trying to make a bargain to get what you want? Identify any "silver shrines" in your life—things you rely on for wealth or reputation—and surrender them to Him.
Prayer points
Pray for a heart that seeks Him for who He is, not for what you can get.
Ask Him to reveal any transactional thinking in your prayer life.
Thank Him for the power of the Gospel that turns us away from worthless idols.
Thursday: The Relationship of Eternal Life
Today's Verse And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)
Reflection Eternal life is not merely a destination or a risk-reward calculation; it is a living, growing relationship. It is impossible to look forward to an eternity with someone you do not even know. Faith is not a transaction where we accept certain facts to "get into heaven." Instead, to have eternal life is to know the only true God and His Son. Confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord must be coupled with believing in the heart that God raised Him from the dead.
Additional Scripture
And a ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Luke 18:18-19)
“On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Life Application Focus your daily devotions on getting to know Him better. Do not settle for religious activity or "doing many mighty works" if you do not have a personal connection with the Lord. Realize that salvation is found in trusting Him with your heart.
Prayer points
Ask Him to deepen your personal knowledge of Him and His Son.
Pray that your faith would be a living relationship rather than a religious routine.
Thank Him for the gift of salvation that comes through believing in Him.
Friday: Admitting Our Need for Grace
Today's Verse But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds...” (Luke 23:40-41)
Reflection Genuine faith often begins with a confession of weakness and unworthiness. Our own sinful acts earn us nothing good; in fact, we deserve the "due reward of our deeds." We cannot bargain with God based on our own abilities or accomplishments. Salvation is not for the "good," for no one is good except God alone. Like the criminal on the cross, we must recognize our own state of condemnation before we can truly appreciate the One who saves.
Additional Scripture
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:10)
Life Application Stop trying to convince God or yourself of your worthiness. Embrace the reality that you need Him because of your weakness. True freedom comes when you stop trying to earn His favour and instead admit your need for His mercy.
Prayer points
Pray for a spirit of repentance and a healthy fear of God.
Confess your total dependence on His grace for salvation.
Ask Him to help you abandon any self-righteousness.
Saturday: The Worthiness of the Sinless Savior
Today's Verse “...but this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:41)
Reflection While we are justly receiving the reward for our deeds, Jesus is the only one who has done nothing wrong. His perfect purity is what earned our salvation. It is one thing to call Him Lord and Saviour, but we must understand why: He is the sinless One who took our place. We are justified by believing in Him, and we will not be put to shame because of His worthiness, not our own.
Additional Scripture
“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Luke 18:18-19)
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)
Life Application Spend time today meditating on the holiness of Jesus. Remind yourself that your standing before God is based entirely on His perfect life and His sacrifice. When you feel the weight of your own failures, look to His worthiness.
Prayer points
Thank Him for His perfect life and His sinless sacrifice on your behalf.
Praise Him for being the only One who is truly good.
Pray that you would trust in His worthiness rather than your own efforts.
Sunday: Surrendering to His Kingdom
Today's Verse And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
Reflection Humble trust and submission is not a transaction; it is a total surrender. The criminal on the cross did not plead or bargain for a specific outcome; he expressed faith and submitted himself to His will and His kingdom. He abandoned his own self-centred agenda and submitted to His authority. When we give up on our own abilities and trust in His grace, the outcome is magnificent: we are promised a place with Him in paradise.
Additional Scripture
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)
Life Application Have you given up on your own abilities to get to heaven? Abandon any attempts to bargain with God. Simply submit to His authority today and trust in His grace. Realise that being "with Him" is the ultimate goal of paradise.
Prayer points
Ask Him to help you fully surrender every part of your life to His authority.
Thank Him for the promise of being with Him in His kingdom.
Pray that you would live today in the light of His eternal paradise.