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. 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. 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 19:24-27
“When the Phocaeans were setting sail from their homeland an oracle was delivered to them, it is said, to use for their voyage as a guide received from the Ephesian Artemis. Accordingly, some of them put in at Ephesus and inquired in what way they might procure from the goddess what had been enjoined upon them. Now the goddess in a dream, it is said, had stood beside Aristarcha, one of the women held in very high honor, and commanded her to sail away with the Phocaeans taking with her a certain reproduction [of Artemis] which was among the sacred images. This done, and the colony finally settled, they not only established the temple, but also did Aristarcha the exceptional honor of appointing her priestess. Further, in the colonial cities [of Marseilles] the people everywhere do this goddess honors of the first rank.”
Strabo, first century Greek historian, geographer, and philosopher who lived in Asia Minor in Geography 4.1.4–5.
Today’s Scripture refers to the silver shrine business that Demetrius and his fellow craftsman ran in ancient Ephesus. It brought in good income. And yet, the ministry of Paul and his companions in Ephesus caused idol sales to fall.
Then today’s quote from Strabo comes from my paper entitled “The Economy of Ephesus in contrast to the Economy of God in 1 Timothy and Ephesian” and shows an ancient example of the oracles wealthy people like Aristarcha would receive.
The oracles urged wealthy people to secure reproductions of the goddess and place her in their homes or on their ships as a guide. Those who did would get honorific titles. This shows how they spread the renown of the goddess widely.
We see this today with many religions in the world. It’s big business to have shrines to other gods who promise things to those who buy them.
Related to generosity, we can respond like Paul and his companions. We can use our wealth to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. This brings people to faith and shows real power, greater than other earthly powers. And it will cause idol sales to fall wherever we live an serve.
Use what wealth you have to spread the Christian movement where you are.