Buying The Gift

Scripture: Acts 8:18-24

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” 20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” 24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!” (Acts 8:18-24 NLT)

Simon the Sorcerer believed the Good News message and was baptized. He was eager and enthusiastic and began following Philip around as he preached and healed and did miracles. But there was a problem! Simon was popular in the city as a magician and “problem solver” and everybody knew him! He no doubt made a good living from his spells and magic and many people called him “The Great One—The Power of God”! Simon believed the Good News. When he saw the genuine power of the Holy Spirit through Philip, Peter, and John, even though he “believed” and was baptized, his inner motives quickly surfaced.

He offered the apostles money to buy the power to bestow the Holy Spirit. He wanted to merely add the “Holy Spirit Thing” to his bag of tricks! Peter’s rebuke is devastating: “May your money perish with you…your heart is not right with God”. Simon believed the Gospel, Simon was baptized, and Simon was completely enthusiastic about God’s power. But Simon lacked a repentant heart, a heart of submission to God. Philip and Peter and John were completely submitted to God and they allowed God to use them to bless others.

Simon wanted the prestige of God’s power without the submission to God’s authority. He wanted to use God to elevate his own brand. It’s a sobering reminder that we can follow all the outward steps of Christian religion—baptism, attending church, observing God at work, while our hearts remain completely self-centered. I hope Simon repented and got his heart right with God!

Heart Question: Am I seeking God for who He is, or just for what His power can do to improve my status? Do I want God, or do I merely want God to give me success?

Prayer:

Father, I love you! I want the fullness of your Spirit. I want to help people for your Kingdom’s sake and not just to make me feel like I’m doing worthwhile stuff! Create in me a clean heart, Oh God. And renew a right spirit within me!