50,000 Days' Wages

I recently  began reading a book which was given to Wayne and I while we were on furlough in the states over Christmas.  It's called Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn.

I was intrigued with a certain section in the book which I would like to share:

“In the story recounted in Acts 19:18-20, the Ephesian occultists demonstrated the reality of their spiritual conversions by their willingness to burn their magic books, which were worth the vast sum of 50,000 days’ wages, the equivalent of perhaps six million dollars in today’s economy.  The depth of transformation in the lives of the early Christians as most clearly evident in their willingness to surrender their money and possessions...." (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).



 Shrine which can be found in homes and businesses

Alcon goes on to say “There is a powerful relationship between our true spiritual condition and our attitude and actions concerning money and possessions….It was no more natural for the Christians in the book of Acts to cheerfully liquidate and disburse assets they had spent their lives accumulating than it would be for us. And that’s the whole point. Conversion and the filling of the Holy Spirit are supernatural experiences that produce supernatural response”.



Shrines for sale

These paragraphs caused me to pause and think about how much sacrifice is made when a Cambodian chooses to follow Christ. When the choice is made, a new believer will remove or destroy a shrine or object of worship. These shrines are usually located inside their home, place of business, and outside the doorway to their home. All these places provide a public display of their beliefs.  The connection to this shrine is very powerful not only spiritually, but financially as well.  It is the regularly observed sacrifices to these shrines that are believed to bring about power, wealth, and a secure future. 

I am moved to stop and reflect on what little I had to sacrifice to become a follower of Christ having grown up in a community with family and friends who strongly supported my decision.    I am humbled by the tremendous sacrifice those around me here in Cambodia make to follow Christ. Please continue to pray for the Christians here in Cambodia!