The Book of Acts ~ Study Fifty-Five

"Ain't No Room for Fat Cats in Heaven"


Acts 16:16-21 (NLT) One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
   This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.
   Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”

Confusion, blackness, a running commentary of never-ending words were this young slave girl's life. That is until she ran into the presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul, Silas, and the others, on their way to pray, met a demon-possessed slave girl who wouldn't leave them alone. Apparently she was so persistent that Paul became so exasperated with her that he turned and commanded the demon living inside her to come out in the Name of Jesus. Freedom!! She was no longer slave to the demon possessing her and now she was no use to her owners.

This girl was now useless to the people who owned her because she could no longer read fortunes. All she was was money to them, not a person. To the King of Kings she was precious. Her abilities to tell the future were not what made her valuable, rather it was the spirit God placed within her when he created her. The world doesn't value this part of a person. It often only recognizes a person for what they can give. The Good News is a threat to the world's view of what is important. It rears it's ugly head when it is threatened by the values that God holds important.

Psalm 73:7-10 (NLT) These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.

These "fat cats" were now finding that their bank account was threatened and had the apostles arrested. That's where we pick up the story:

Acts 16:22-24 (NLT) The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 

When you oppose the world and what it holds dear, you may find yourself persecuted. We don't get beaten here in the US or in any of the free world nations, but we are persecuted. We must examine how we will respond to this opposition. Paul and Silas found themselves "severely flogged and thrown into prison." What would you do if you found yourself in the same spot? Well, here's what they did. Keep reading.

Acts 16:25-16 (NLT) Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

What do you do when you find yourself shackled? You sing hymns! Sounds logical? To the believer it makes all kinds of sense. I have found myself shackled recently to thoughts of failure and disappointment. It seems like its always worse in the middle of the night when thoughts run through my mind. If I pray and begin singing hymns or new praise songs, I find myself becoming engulfed in His presence. God shakes my world with His presence and grace and my chains fall off.

What are you struggling with? What binds you up? It's ok to admit that you don't have your act together. None of us do without the Lord. He puts things in perspective. Yes, the "fat cats" of this world may seem to have it all right now, but the unseen supernatural world holds another Victor high and His Name is Jesus. Just like the slave girl, we too can be free from the world's view of what we are worth, and take up our rightful place among God's people.

Lord, free our hearts and minds. Let us see our worth only in You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.


Acts 16:27-34 (NLT) The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
   The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
   They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

We meet another person who sees no way out ~ the jailer. In fact, he's drawn his dagger and is ready to plunge it into his heart or neck to end it right there. He knows that if those under his charge have escaped, then his fate would be death. Paul knew this and came to his rescue. He offered the jailer another way out of this life. He told him about Jesus. HOPE! The jailer found hope and asked, "What must I do to be saved?" I'm not sure that he meant his eternal salvation at this point but rather, how can I not kill myself because they will kill me if I don't." (My paraphrase.)

Are you trapped and see no way out? This present life offers us nothing but Jesus does. He opens our eyes to the eternal unseen world that holds true meaning. He awakens our lifeless spirits and beckons us to join Him in eternal life. This is what Paul offered the jailer and the jailer quickly responded. It made such a difference in his life, he bathed the disciples wounds (remember they had been beaten severely) and took them home and fed them. His whole family believed in Jesus and their lives were forever changed for eternity. A joy-filled life replaced the fear-filled life.

Acts 16:35-40. (NLT) The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”
   But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”
   When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

The next day, the city officials freed Paul and Silas. Little did they know that God had already freed them. Not only were they free but so was the Jailer and his family. Paul wasn't about to let this imprisonment die. I'm not sure why, but I see God's hand in this. God doesn't let the "fat cats" off in the end. He will take care of the injustice they cause.

Psalm 68:1-3 (NLT) Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God. But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.

There ain't no room for "fat cats" in heaven. God has made sure of that. Unless they bow to Him before their time on earth is done, He will take care of their wickedness. Eternal dying is their due. Those who love Jesus will inherit His Kingdom and eternal life is their reward. So don't get discouraged when life is hard and seems to knock you back down. Keep your eyes on what matters and that is that you have an inheritance that is eternal full of pure joy and peace.

When you find yourself in the depths of despair and see no way out sing out a hymn or just cry out to Jesus. He will respond and lift you out of your prison. He loves you so much.

"Without Him I can do nothing."