What can we learn about the cost of discipleship from Acts 19:19? Setting the Scene in Ephesus - Acts 19 records an outpouring of the gospel’s power in a city obsessed with magic and idolatry. - Verse 19 zooms in on new believers who “brought their scrolls together and burned them in front of everyone. When the value was calculated, it came to fifty thousand drachmas.” What the Burning Meant - Public renunciation: They did not abandon their occult materials in secret; they destroyed them “in front of everyone,” showing allegiance to Christ alone (cf. Joshua 24:15). - Irreversible break: Fire made sure the scrolls could never be reused or resold; their former life was literally reduced to ashes (2 Corinthians 5:17). - Costly sacrifice: Fifty thousand drachmas equaled tens of years of wages—evidence that following Jesus outweighed even life-altering financial loss (Matthew 13:44-46). Financial Cost and Heart Commitment - Luke 14:28—“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” The Ephesian believers counted—and then paid—the cost. - Their act teaches that true repentance is willing to surrender assets, careers, and comforts that clash with Christ’s lordship (Philippians 3:7-8). - No bargain discipleship exists; Jesus calls for whole-hearted devotion (Mark 8:34-35). Spiritual Cost and Freedom - Letting go of occult power meant trusting Christ’s power alone (Acts 19:11-12). - Destroying the scrolls severed demonic ties and protected the wider community from stumbling (1 Corinthians 10:21, Romans 14:13). - By losing their former identity, they gained true freedom (John 8:31-32). Why the Price Was Worth Paying - Kingdom advance: “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” (Acts 19:20) - Eternal reward eclipses temporal loss (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). - Jesus promises hundredfold return and eternal life to those who forsake earthly treasures for His sake (Mark 10:29-30). Living This Out Today - Identify and discard anything—digital, physical, relational—that competes with Christ’s supremacy. - Make costly obedience visible; your testimony strengthens other believers and confronts a watching world. - View financial or social loss as investment in an imperishable inheritance (1 Peter 1:4). - Keep the cross before you; the One who paid everything for you is worthy of everything from you (Revelation 5:9-12). |
    |