by: Jeanette Grattan Parker
Paul, the Apostle wrote: “For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death, for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ sake…1 Corinthians 4:9-11.” He humbles himself and his brethren: “We are weak. We are dishonored, we hunger and thirst, poorly clothed, beaten and homeless; reviled and persecuted, but we endure. We bless and are defamed.” It sounds like Paul could see and experience the hardships during his life in “the way”, along with the other apostles. They sacrificed without limits. There were others he mentioned in this context who were distinguished; but the apostles were “fools for Christ.”
Paul was in Ephesus; he used the “sword” of Christ, the gospel, to convince the spectators, unbelievers to Christ. It did not always work. The parables tell us that people did not believe because their ears were stopped up and they had no faith. He, along with his companions, were unswerving in their mission to expose the spectators to the gospel. The silversmiths became violent and put up a big fight causing a riot! What was the problem? (Acts 19:23-41) Why in the world were they so upset and made such a stinky commotion? Demetrius, who was over the “silversmith guild,” called together other silversmiths. His main statement was, “Acts 19:26” that they are not gods which were made with hands.” Paul told them their false beliefs were basically nonsense. Well, that’s the very problem we experience even to this day. We see this throughout scripture…people making, carving, designing, imagining things that will never equal “The One and Only True God.” Demetrius and other silversmiths as well as perhaps other groups according to their trade, maybe coppersmiths, who believed that the goddess, Diana, a false god, who they contrived and created in their own wayward minds, that she was “the god over money (Mammon). They were claiming “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Not only that, but all knew and claimed her domination was the reason they made money from their business of making silver shrines and other images which made them great wealth! If they made great wealth from deceiving people into thinking that serving this false god was profitable to them, they didn’t want anything or anyone to stop them.
You cannot serve two masters, God and mammon. They were seeking money and power. Their paycheck came from the adversary and achieved it by this false notion of Diana and the temple of Diana were the cause and reason of making great wealth and having power. The truth is they were instigators and wanted to get rid of Paul and the true God. Even today, ask yourself, “Am I deceived by joining large institutions where I gain recognition and you can say, “I’m a member of this or “I’m a member of that group.” If you are, you’re deceived for their real motive is to maintain power and get wealth. You are not really important, but only their greed. And what are they really worshipping? What is their true goal? These are probing questions. The scriptures say, “Come out from among them.” And just who or what are you worshipping and what is your true motive. I can tell you from personal experience, you are a “real Christian,” when you allow the Lord to show you “the way” to get wealth “on the way“ and in His way.” A primary step is, “listen to what He is telling you. Spend time with Him to hear His voice and His direction. You must have faith that He will lead you in the right path. Trust Him. “This is the way. Your own ears will hear when you turn to the left or to the right” (Isaiah 30:21) Make time for Him. Get to know Him.
Jeanette Grattan Parker Ph.d-Founder-Superintendent
Today’s Fresh Start Charter School
4514 Crenshaw blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90043.
www.todaysfreshstart.org
Weekly Columnist for LA Sentinel News
askdrjeanette.successontheway@gmail.com
“Inquiring Minds Want To know.”© All rights reserved. Partial Scripture list references: Jeanette Grattan Parker is Founder-Superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School:4514 Crenshaw BL, LA 90043 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org Dr. Jeanette’s Articles are copyright. All rights reserved. Inquiring Minds Want To Know” © Ask Dr. Jeanette (TM) www.Ask Dr.Jeanetteparker.com. Askdrjeanette.successontheway@gmail.com. Let me know. Dr. Jeanette also writes a weekly article for The Los Angeles Sentinel News. Dial in Sundays for music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751}
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