Luke the beloved physician wrote how, “Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen”, and in chapter nineteen and verse twenty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Demetrius, “called together with the workmen of like occupation” where we read:
Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said,
Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth.
The verse begins, “Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, ...” Luke began with the words, “whom he called together” which means “Demetrius assembled, gathered and convened” “with the workmen” or “alongside of the men who worked” “of like occupation” which means “within the silversmith vocation or trade”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how “Demetrius” assembled all the men who worked in the silversmith vocation and spoke to them the following words.
The verse goes on to say, “... Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth.” Luke continued with the word, “Sirs” which means “men”, “you know that by this craft” or “you, silversmiths, are aware and understand that through the working, performing and business of making silver shrines and temples” “we have our wealth” which means “we, silversmiths, possess, make and produce riches, means and wealth”. Luke shared how “Demetrius” reminded his fellow silversmiths of how they produced their wealth and riches through their business.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Demetrius” decided to do something about his loss of profits from making less “silver shrines and temples”. He assembled the other “silversmiths” within “Ephesus” and reminded them how they made their living and wealth off their sales. Now that people within “Ephesus” were believing in Jesus, they were not making as much money. When people yield themselves to Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, not only are they forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, but also the things they buy and involve themselves in change as well. This affects the profits of those who used to make money from them. As we can imagine, this does not sit well, and those who are wise will not only be aware of this, but also surrender themselves to Jesus regardless of the effect it has upon those who do not believe.
Next time Luke shares how Demetrius says, “not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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