May 18, 2026 | Be Connected
Jesus and the Bottom Line
Scripture: Acts 19:23-27(NIV)
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 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. 26 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. 27 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.”
Devotional
According to Greek mythology, Artemis was a multi-breasted goddess of fertility. The city of Ephesus housed the massive Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. People came from all over to worship this goddess, and to hopefully enhance their own fertility with children and crops. Silversmiths made a fortune selling small replicas of Artemis to tourists.
For three years, Paul confronted this false religion, convincing them that hand-made gods are no gods at all. The silversmiths, craftsmen, shopkeepers, innkeepers, and others who got rich from this sham saw their profits evaporating like a puddle on a hot summer day.
Jesus has a way of affecting our bottom line. He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). He followed that up with, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26). The bottom line is that Jesus is the bottom line.
This man named Demetrius was correct. The name of Jesus was threatening their “good income… good name… and great goddess Artemis.” As Christ Himself had said, “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” (Matthew 6:24).
How is Jesus affecting the bottom line of your life? Are there any non-negotiables that you are clutching onto, keeping them from the reach of Christ? What aspects of your reputation, relationships and resources are more important to you than Jesus? Put it another way. What would really rock your world if Christ called you to surrender it to His Lordship?
