Bible 365 Devotional

CAN'T BUY THIS

ACTS 8:18-24

ACTS 8:18-24 NKJ 
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 
20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." 
24 Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me." 

 OBSERVATION:

The City of Samaria had received God's word concerning salvation, and a genuine awakening had occurred in the city. People were getting healed, free, delivered, and baptized.   

The apostles sent Peter and John to Samaria to pray for the people that they might receive the Holy Spirit.   

Simon was a former sorcerer in Samaria who had received the Lord during this awakening. Now that his sorcery days were over, he may have been concerned about his position and his livelihood. So, when he observed Peter and John laying hands on people and the people receiving the Holy Spirit, he had an idea for a new revenue stream.   

He offered money to the apostles so that he could have the power to lay hands on people and for them to receive the Holy Spirit.   

But Peter set him straight. You can't buy the gift of God, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, with money. This is God's gift, and even though Simon had been recently saved, his heart was not right in God's sight.   

This is a great example of the importance of growing in Christ. Simon was a new believer, and he was still holding on to some of his old ways. Peter never said Simon was not saved. He said his heart was not right and he needed to repent.   

Simon had received the Lord but wanted to retain the power he once had over the people. But God's gifts are free.   

APPLICATION: 

Some good lessons are found in this story. You cannot buy God's gifts with money. And God's gifts are not for the purpose of making money or glorifying man.   

Another lesson is the necessity of renewing our minds with God's word. We all have old ways that are not right in the sight of God. As we discover these wrong ways, we repent and adjust, and God is merciful to forgive us. Then as we grow, we continue to conform our ways to His ways. It's a never-ending process that yields good results.   

We are not told what happened to Simon. Hopefully, he was able to make the adjustment, continue with the Lord, and find a new job.   

PRAYER: 

Thank you, Father, for Your free gifts of salvation and the Holy Spirit. And thank You for revealing to me how to change my ways to conform to You. 

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