Paul and Silas cast a demon out of a slave girl after she followed their entourage for several days, shouting and making a ruckus. Her owners previously used the girl to predict the future, generating a great deal of money in the process. Seeing the change in the girl, the furious owners incited a mob who beat the preachers and threw them in jail.

Why? Paul and Silas hurt the local economy. Making good money trumps concern for others. It’s part of the base nature of humans, an outgrowth of sin. Why did slavery last so long? It was lucrative. And so is legalizing recreational marijuana and promoting sports betting and hawking drugs to terminate pregnancies. Follow the money and uncover the base intentions of humankind.

Jesus tells us to follow him, not the money. He frees us from slaving for wealth. Followers of Jesus still prosper, and he promises those who turn to him an abundant life.

Generosity of resources and spirit mark the way of Jesus, rather than living large upon the misfortune of others.

Acts 16 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Giorgio Trovato