The answer is: Paul commanded the spirit of divination to leave her

Acts 16:16-19 - and removed the source of income for the masters.

In Acts 16, we stumble upon quite the hustle gone wrong. Picture this: a young girl with the ability to predict the future, often seen as some kind of local treasure; this gift brings her masters a steady stream of cash. Enter Paul and Silas, spreading their message of hope and unity. Paul, seemingly annoyed (the text hints at it), commands the spirit of divination to exit stage left, which opens up a new chapter for the girl but also screens a rather grim reality for her masters—their income dried up!

What's fascinating here is that the girl and her gift were celebrated in the culture, yet her liberation from this oppressive system seemed to disturb the peace of the currency-holders far more than they cared for her own well-being. This tells us a lot about priorities.

Have you noticed the widespread echoes of such themes throughout history? From figures who challenge the status quo facing backlash in varying forms, to movements igniting when those in power feel threatened—it's a recurring story.

Also noteworthy, in Paul’s era, the practice of soothsaying was common in Greek-Roman society, yielding ample income for those at the top. Yet here, we see an early instance of social justice intervening, encouraging us to ponder at what cost should we pursue justice, making us question our own cozy arrangements today. What are the 'spirits' we might need to command away in our lives for the benefit of others?