The Bible is full of admonitions about money. In the Gospels, Christ frequently warns people about seeking reward for their sacrifices. Pastor Leithart preached on the Parable of the Vineyard Owner recently, and Christ’s reproval of those who want money for security or pleasure. But Acts presents an unusual angle on money, one that doesn’t come to mind as easily.
Acts 19:23-27:
About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. “You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. “Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”
The Apostles have been busy preaching everywhere they go, and figuring out the whole new Gentile dimension to the Gospel. What they haven’t realized (or maybe they had) is that their preaching is emptying the pocketbooks of those who oppose the Gospel. And this what the Gospel does: provides what is a stumbling block of offense to some and a stumbling block leading to salvation for others.
However, this requires no little confidence in what we believe. Think what you would do if something you did put respected people (that you knew) out of business. Would you be looking forward to speaking with them in public like Paul was? What if they were powerful and could ruin your job? What if they had kids to provide for? What if they were your neighbor or a member of your own family?
There is no easy way out with the Gospel. That’s the point. If you aren’t preaching something that is a stumbling block to the world, then you are not preaching the Gospel. If the way you live does not threaten the livelihood of certain groups of people, then you are living something other than the Christian life.
And this is not the dog-eat-dog philosophy that prevails today. Life is not a zero sum game. So when your faithful life makes someone else’s life difficult, it is not because benefit for you equals bad for someone else. No, this is much bigger than that. When our Gospel-driven actions make life hard for someone else, it is a grace to them. They may not see it that way, then or ever. But the Gospel, through us, has removed one of their crutches, like their wallet. At this point, they are that much less secure, and that much closer to a Savior.
Hey Gabe,
Really nicely done. You have any specific examples of how a faithful Christian witness in this area might look?
The answer to your question is no. I do not have specific examples. But you do. What are you doing these days? Going to Grad school soon. So that means while you are pursuing G school, you will have to recognize the gifts God has given you and serve other people with them. When you do this faithfully, you will attract attention. In all likelihood you will never be hauled in front of people and accused of destroying their livelihood. However, your life should be doing one of three things to the people around you: (1) helping those who are already regenerate to grow, (2) presenting a stumbling block and thereby evangelizing those who have eyes to see, or (3) presenting a stumbling block and thereby further hardening those who do not have eyes to see. You might think of that last one as a litmus test indicating whether someone is wheat or tare–and then making them look all the more tare-ish.
Paul was just doing what he was called to do. All of a sudden he’s got people crawling all over him. Some of them want to learn more from him, and some of them want to stone him. People that were just normal tradesmen were suddenly got nasty and loud. In a sense, the Gospel (your life lived faithfully (not perfectly)) exposes people for who they really are.
Go do what you’ve been called to do: go to Grad school and be that stumbling block to those around you.
It is awkward for me to be answering your question. I think it’s because we are the same age and so who am I to tell you what to do. But then I am pursuing a different calling than you, and my calling has me exhorting you, three of my classmates, and anyone else who’s eyes fall on this. That makes me want to not respond. I guess this stumbling block business really is unavoidable. See what I mean?
Thanks, Gabe. I appreciate the wisdom in that.
Just another thought: have you read any Bonhoeffer yet at Greyfriars? His writings on discipleship are some of the most amazingly convicting stuff I’ve ever read, and it seems you’re already thinking along the same lines.