Rearrange your whole life
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. Acts 19:24
Recently, I heard a conversation where two people were having an argument about tithing and giving to God. The person that was debating had the usual objections like: “It’s an Old Testament practice” and “God doesn’t need my money” even “If I gave God ten percent, I would not have enough left to pay my bills.” Finally, this person said a statement that really exposed the heart of the issue. They said, “If I gave God ten percent of my income, I would have to totally rearrange my life around Him.” Finally, the bottom line. That is exactly right.
Many Christians are facing so many struggles today all the while telling God what they are doing right and asking why things aren’t going better. They say things like “I go to church, I read my bible, and I pray.” But the real issue is a matter of the heart. Who are you living your life for and what is the center and main focus of all your days. Is it God and His plan or you and doing things your way and including Him when it is convenient.
In today’s passage, Demetrius the silversmith had built his entire life around making idols for profit. His heart was not devoted to Diana herself but to the money that came from idol worship. When Paul’s message of salvation threatened his business, he stirred up others who also profited from the same trade, leading to confusion, chaos, and rebellion. His devotion to wealth dictated his actions, and the results brought destruction.
This story is not just about idols of silver. It is about what we choose to rearrange our lives around. If our focus is money, status, or self-interest, we will always find ourselves empty, frustrated, and afraid of losing what we have. But when we choose to rearrange our entire lives around God’s plan, placing Him at the very center, everything changes. True joy, peace, and contentment come only when His will becomes our priority.
Here are some ways you can begin to live this out in your life:
- Start your day by giving God the first moments in prayer and His Word.
- Invite Him to reorder your daily schedule so that His priorities come before your own.
- Evaluate what currently takes the majority of your time, energy, and resources, and ask if it is serving His purposes or your own.
- Practice putting others before yourself in small ways each day, such as serving, encouraging, or showing kindness.
- Make intentional choices to honor God with your money, time, and talents by dedicating them to His purposes.
Begin by surrendering one area of your life where God is not yet first place. This may be your time, your finances, or your plans. Start with small steps, like reading Scripture before reaching for your phone in the morning or dedicating the first portion of your income to God. As you build these habits, you will see your life slowly rearranging itself around His will.
Today I want to encourage you to rearrange your whole life around your heavenly Father and His plan. When He is first, everything else finds its proper place. This does not mean everything will become perfect, but it does mean that you will live with peace, purpose, and the confidence that your life is being used for eternal impact. Choose today to place God at the very center of your heart, and you will find the missing pieces of your life beginning to fit together.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 19:21-41
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.
30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.
37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”
41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Journal:
- What areas of my life are currently arranged around my own desires instead of God’s will?
- How can I practically give God first place in my time, money, and decisions today?
- What steps can I take this week to serve others instead of myself?
- Where have I seen God bring peace and order when I put Him first in the past?
The Daily Dose 