The Bible Edge
Acts 8:18
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Of this man Simon, we know this: But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: Acts 8:9. He was a man of great pride that for a long-time used sorcery. He charged others money to use his sorceries. The people he bewitched thought he was a great one and that he had the …power of God. Perhaps he believed this too. That is until he met some men who actually had the power of God.
In verse 13 of Acts eight it is recorded that Then Simon himself believed also: He received Christ but was completely wrong about spiritual things. He was not malicious so much as he was ignorant. He thought that others paid for his sorcery gift, so it made sense that he could pay the Apostles for their spiritual gift. Peter dealt harshly with this man saying, …Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts 8:20-22 To his credit Simon did repent …Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. Acts 8:24
The lesson is clear, the gift of God could not then, nor can it today be purchased with money. Money can buy a lot of things but not the gift of God. God’s gift is just that, a gift, something that is given freely. A gift can be purchased by the giver but not by the receiver. There are many who think that they can buy the gift of God through good works, religious practices, and even money. But they cannot.
Money is to be kept to that which money is good for, to purchase goods and services. But money is of no value when it comes to God’s gift; the gift of God cannot be purchased.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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