Matthew 8:28-34 tells a story of two demon possessed men and of their freedom from that possession and the towns reaction. This version of the story comes from The Voice Bible which is written in such a way as to tell it as a story.
28Eventually Jesus came to the other side of sea, to the region of the Gadarenes. There, two men who lived near the tombs and were possessed by demons came out to the seaside and met Jesus. They were flailing about, so violent that they obstructed the path of anyone who came their way.
Demons (screaming at Jesus): 29Why are You here? Have you come to torture us even before the judgment day, O Son of God?
30A ways off, though still visible, was a large herd of pigs.
Demons: 31If You cast us out of the bodies of these two men, do send us into that heard of pigs!
Jesus: 32Very well then, go!
And the demons flew out of the bodies of the two flailing men, they set upon the pigs, and every last pig rushed over a steep bank into the sea and drowned. 33The pig herders (totally undone, as you can imagine) took off; they headed straight for town, where they told everyone what they’d just seen – even about the demon-possessed men. 34And so the whole town came out to see Jesus for themselves. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their area.
When confronted with Christ and the miracle He had done for the demon-possessed men, they didn’t welcome Him they did the exact opposite.
The herd of pigs signified wealth. Often we are asked by God what are we going to do with our finances. For some this can be a difficult thing. Possibly you have come about difficult times financially, still setting some aside for the work of God is Biblical. How much is between your heart and God, the Holy Spirit. Maybe God has blessed you despite these difficult times and you find it easy to give, praise the Lord.
Perhaps you have great wealth and have been sensing that it was time to share that wealth with others but it has been difficult for you to let go of it. May I encourage you that there are greater treasures in heaven than you could ever amount for yourself here on earth. Please listen to that voice prodding you to be generous with what you have.
God has blessed you with the amount of income that He has chosen. Yes you may be an entrepreneur but it is God who has blessed your business as He has seen fit. And it is God who will either continue to bless that income or take it away. His ways are not our ways nor His thoughts our thoughts. So whether rich or poor be grateful for what you have because God promises to supply all your needs if you seek Him.
Unfortunately this town never got to learn that blessed promise and wonderful joy. Because when they were faced with the face of the Savior they chose wealth over salvation. How sad that a whole town could be more concerned with their wealth and all that encompasses than learning about the man that can free men from demon-possession. One would hope such a miracle would have people asking for more miracles of healing in their lives rather than looking at their pocketbooks and being fearful of what more money this Man might take from them.
This town is the perfect example of how it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.
This town is also a reminder to us who follow Christ to keep our priorities in order. It is just as easy for us to allow wealth to cause an area of a hardened heart and that gives the enemy a foothold in our life that we don’t want to happen. We must listen to the Holy Spirit and obey it’s voice when It calls us to action in our giving.
We must only have one Master at all times. So check yourself and ask God if you are in line with His will in this area.
Joy – A Fellow Sojourner & A Woman After God’s Own Heart!
Joy's Words of Encouragement 