We have been in Springfield, Illinois this week. Yesterday, we toured many of the Lincoln historic sites. The souvenirs available throughout the city are a bit ridiculous. You have everything from t-shirts to bobble heads, from pressed pennies to coffee mugs. You can’t blame the vendors. They are simply capitalizing on a tourist attraction.

In this week’s text, an ancient souvenir dealer named Demetrius sees Paul’s message as a threat to business. The city’s attraction was one of the seven wonders of the world, the temple to the goddess Artemis. Demetrius and his associates had a thriving business. They sold take-home statues of the temple, perfect for home worship. The gospel put their pocketbooks in jeopardy.

I am saddened by this story. The gospel could have impacted more than Demetrius’ wallet; his life could have been radically changed. Yet, he failed to realize what was right before him.

Surrendering all was a characteristic of early Christians. Paul called himself a slave. A relinquishing of everything marked his life.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7–8 NIV)

What are we gripping? What keeps us from realizing all that Jesus offers? Are we willing to give it up?