June 9

When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. — Acts 16:19 BSB

When the gospel affects people’s finances, it reveals their true character.

Paul did a great thing by freeing a possessed woman, but in doing so, he destroyed her ability to make money for her masters. They turned the people against Paul and Silas, leading to their imprisonment in Philippi.

Despite being beaten and locked in an underground dungeon, their hearts were so full of joy that they sang hymns at midnight, and the other prisoners listened.

Then came the conversion of the jailer. Moved by the events, he asked what he needed to do to be saved. Paul told him to believe in the Lord Jesus. How do we know he was saved? We see the change in him—once harsh and cruel, he became gentle and compassionate.