Author: Dave Dishman (Page 364 of 475)

Paul spent two years in Ephesus, daily discussing the faith with people from all over the region. His teaching took root. People started to follow Jesus and change the way they lived in response.

Which frustrated Demetrius, a local silversmith who grew wealthy crafting idols of the Greek god Artemis. Ephesus boasted a major shrine to Artemis, and the local economy relied on the constant flow of worshipers to the city.

Paul persuaded people that handmade gods weren’t really gods at all, a shot to the pocketbook of those craftsmen who made gods by hand. Demetrius launched a riot and the mob – cancel culture in togas – dragged two of Paul’s companions into a rowdy amphitheater of Artemis lovers. Only after the quick-thinking mayor calmed the crowd did they filter away.

A truly converted person experiences changes in their affections, which changes their habits, which changes where they spend their money, which changes their relationships with certain businesses, which changes the local economy. Which is why owners of certain businesses, like idol-crafting, oppose these conversions. It hurts the bottom line.

Which moves me to my affections. Where might I face the temptation to shade my faith in order to increase my bottom line? I don’t have to invest in the idol industry to look away from the Lord in order to gain more.

Paul later instructed Timothy, the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Perhaps Paul had Demetrius and the Ephesian silversmith guild in mind as he wrote these words?

Acts 19 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Paul preached his most famous sermon in Athens, to a leading group of philosophers and thinkers. The group spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.

Paul knew the scriptures up and down. He usually preached to Jewish listeners and Gentile converts to Judaism. To these audiences Paul reasoned from the scriptures, their trusted texts. Notice the Bereans, who examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

But not the Athenians. They worshipped a host of other gods and followed a variety of pagan philosophies. The religion of the Jews didn’t amount to much in their minds, so Paul set his normal scriptural arguments aside.

Paul quoted Epimenides and Aratus, two philosophers recognized in Athens. Their writings helped him bridge between the emerging faith in Jesus and the tired worship habits of the Greeks. It worked – although some scoffed, others became followers of Paul and believed.

I’m curious – how Paul came across the writings of these philosophers? Texts in that day were limited (plus no free shipping). Paul worked to read and understand the thinkers of the world around him. It took effort to even get a look at the writings of others, let alone think through their philosophies and understand their ideas.

Paul masterfully demonstrated the wisdom of reading broadly. Through his consideration of their view of the world, Paul helped these Greeks understand that they were closer to the true God than they realized. People responded gratefully. I benefit from the same practice.

And that’s all excuse I need to buy a book today.

Acts 17 in week eighteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Kyle Glenn

David and his four hundred men descended like a swarm while Nabal, whose name meant fool, partied in ignorance. Nabal earlier rebuffed David’s messengers when they asked for provisions, after a long winter of protecting Nabal’s herds and showing kindness to Nabal’s employees. Nabal’s hateful stinginess promised the destruction of him and his people.

But before the riot kicked off Abigail, the wife of Nabal, intervened. Carrying loads of food, she met David and his men on the trail. She begged forgiveness and complimented David.

I read and listen to great speeches sometimes. I’m interested in how others use words. I’m impressed by phrases that make a point or turn an argument.

Abigail considered her audience. She told David, the lives of your enemies God will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. Abigail cleverly referenced David’s victory over Goliath as she pleaded with him to avoid senseless bloodshed.

Not many wiser speeches exist in scripture. Abigail averted a disaster, and impressed David so much that he married Abigail after the death of her husband.

Zillions of words fly around in our day, yet so few of them settle as wise. I pray for more of Abigail’s spirit as I write and talk and interact with others.

1 Samuel 25 in week eighteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Read more about Abigail in Seers, Sayer, Schemers & Saints

Photo by Jessica Da Rosa