GRIP THAT NICKEL TIGHTLY BETWEEN

THUMB AND FOREFINGER, LET NO ONE

STEAL IT FROM YOU. HOLD IT WITH

DETERMINATION FROM THOSE WHO

MIGHT ATTEMPT TO TAKE IT FROM

YOU. MONEY HAS BECOME YOUR

ETERNAL god. (lowercase “g”)

MANY PEOPLE LIVE THEIR LIVES

THIS WAY IGNORING THE TEACHINGS

OF JESUS WHO MADE IT CLEAR:

““No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The book of Acts has a story about where the true love of some people becomes clear.

Money, livelihood, the respect and honor coming from a man’s occupation and God-given abilities, and the personal worship of “lesser things,” all leading the proud, arrogant man to the lake of fire.

Choosing to pass on considering anything eternal in favor of temporary prosperity.

Let’s read and understand:

“About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

False gods and goddesses, created from men’s imagination, birthing industries that make men wealthy, while they sacrifice their souls, some unknowingly, others quite willingly.

The apostle Paul was presenting the truth about the resurrected Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, but most had no patience for listening because they only saw the short-term losses rather than any eternal gain.

The same situation exists today where financial gain becomes the most important venture, with spiritual things far off in our thinking.

Reading the Bible gives us an opportunity to bring bigger-picture thinking to the forefront.

Take the time to read the Bible and see this short life from God’s perspective; what he has revealed to us as of high importance.

God is not willing that any of us would perish, but we will indeed perish if we’re not willing to listen to what he has spoken.

Luke 16:13 (NIV) – “No one can serve two masters.

Greg’s passion for Bible study began when his wife, Janel, introduced him to a local men’s BSF group. The daily discipline of God’s Word drew him into closer fellowship with the Lord and inspired him to share Scripture-based reflections on LinkedIn. His mission is to encourage believers to study the Bible for themselves, examine their faith, and live with the assurance of eternal life in Christ. Greg and Janel live in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and enjoy time with their two married children, Emily and Jordan, and their grandson, Jack.

Image by CoPilot