INTRODUCTION

The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
See All...). One should take note that witchcraft, magic, and similar practices are very lucrative industries. Many have foolishly supposed these things exist for good and moral reasons. The world cares not for the consequences of polluting the minds and hearts of the masses, so long as they can profit from so doing. As Paul and Silas ministered, they were followed by a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination (Acts 16:16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
See All...). After many days, Paul turned and rebuked the spirit, setting the damsel free (Acts 16:18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
See All...). Instead of rejoicing in the damsel’s new found peace, her masters sought the beating of Paul and Silas.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Preachers are to preach God’s word (2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
  See All...) which is the truth (John 17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
  See All...). They are not to preach to make money (Titus 1:7-11 [7] For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; [8] But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; [9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. [10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
  See All...; 1 Peter 5:2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
  See All...; 2 Peter 2:1-3 [1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. [3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
  See All...). Consider Paul's example (Acts 20:33-34 [33] I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. [34] Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
  See All...; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9 [8] I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. [9] And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
  See All...; 1 Thessalonians 2:9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
  See All...). God took care of him. Paul never charged for helping people.
• How did the love of money affect the response of the damsel’s masters? What was their major concern? How can this be related to similar practices in our day?
• How is witchcraft and similar practices lucrative today? Why would they keep producing such things at the risk of harming the minds and hearts of young and old alike?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you the true motives behind witchcraft.
• Ask the Lord to help you repent of any evil associations.

HYMN

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