Disrupting Our Selfishness....

When people say they have a cause and it eventually leads to violence, it usually stems from a money issue not the stated cause. See if it’s true. Research it for yourself. The Bible says, “money is a root of all evil”, which means selfishness is the cause of all evil. Money issues just help bring it out more easily. People fight because of selfishness, money is only the instigator. Violence stems from running out of defending statements. When you realize the truth has defeated you, violence and name-calling are your last resort in the battle. Demetrius was a silversmith, but a professional spin-doctor as well. He presented the case to the people playing on Artemis’ greatness, when in reality it was all about the loss of money. It was proven to be true in the end. Some of the people didn’t even know why they were there or chanting with the masses. In a recent WOMEN’S MOVEMENT RALLY, a muslim speaker had the entire crowd of supporters chanting “Sharia, Sharia, Sharia”. These women were so caught up in the moment, they didn’t realize what they were saying. Here you have women promoting women’s rights, and they are chanting a word that represents a culture that has been suppressing women’s rights for centuries. Talk about confusion? We live in a society driven by selfishness, money being the main driver, and we are confused as to what it is we really want. But when truth is spoken, most of the time it isn’t welcomed because it disrupts our selfishness. Make sense?

About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. 24 It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. 25 He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows:“Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. 26 But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! 27 Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis–this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world–will be robbed of her great prestige!”28 At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 Paul wanted to go in, too, but the believers wouldn’t let him. 31 Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.32 Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak. 34 But when the crowd realized he was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”35 At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. “Citizens of Ephesus,” he said. “Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven. 36 Since this is an undeniable fact, you should stay calm and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple and have not spoken against our goddess.38 “If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. Let them make formal charges. 39 And if there are complaints about other matters, they can be settled in a legal assembly. 40 I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won’t know what to say.” 41 Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed. Acts 19:23-41