Money for Nothing 9 AM

Context: Where does this fit in the Big Picture of God's Glory?

Ephesus

Long-term ministry for Paul

Overview: What's going on here?

Acts 19:11–12 CSB

God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

Acts 19:18–20 CSB

And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.

Acts 19:27 CSB

Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”

Reflection: Why does this matter?

Isaiah 55:2 CSB

Why do you spend silver on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.

Notice the economic disruption of the Gospel

Expectations: What do we do about it?

Consider the cost of following Jesus

Pay it.