Ungodly Gain
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
Acts 8:18–23
I’ve just finished watching an episode of one of my favorite shows, ‘Gold Rush’. It’s the story of a bunch of fairly ordinary people who seek to strike it rich through gold mining in Canada and the US. It’s really amazing how much stress people will go through, for the hope of money.
In Acts, the gospel is spreading, and where the gospel is, the Holy Spirit is (and vice-versa). A guy called Simon, who had previously been making money from magic tricks now sees a new source of revenue.
Would people pay for an experience of this Holy Spirit? Well, it turns out they do. Today, it’s called the Prosperity Gospel. You may only have heard of it. I’ve experienced it directly. People who got paid because they had a ‘gift of the Spirit’.
Gold, money, the pleasures and security that come with it are a powerful force. We may not be so crass as Simon the sorcerer. But if someone told you, give God $500 and he’ll give you $5,000 back. You would be tempted.
The key to our hearts is to see that God offers us something better. I spent $5,000 on a holiday once. I can remember it, because it was mostly a disappointment. I spent $200 on a special dinner, I can remember it. It wasn’t a disappointment as such, but the pleasure didn’t last long.
You see the point. What if God offers us something far better? What if God will give us joy, and hope, and identity, and purpose and eternal life for free. Well, he does. The question is, will we see it?
Today:
Pray:
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
Acts 8:18–23
I’ve just finished watching an episode of one of my favorite shows, ‘Gold Rush’. It’s the story of a bunch of fairly ordinary people who seek to strike it rich through gold mining in Canada and the US. It’s really amazing how much stress people will go through, for the hope of money.
In Acts, the gospel is spreading, and where the gospel is, the Holy Spirit is (and vice-versa). A guy called Simon, who had previously been making money from magic tricks now sees a new source of revenue.
Would people pay for an experience of this Holy Spirit? Well, it turns out they do. Today, it’s called the Prosperity Gospel. You may only have heard of it. I’ve experienced it directly. People who got paid because they had a ‘gift of the Spirit’.
Gold, money, the pleasures and security that come with it are a powerful force. We may not be so crass as Simon the sorcerer. But if someone told you, give God $500 and he’ll give you $5,000 back. You would be tempted.
The key to our hearts is to see that God offers us something better. I spent $5,000 on a holiday once. I can remember it, because it was mostly a disappointment. I spent $200 on a special dinner, I can remember it. It wasn’t a disappointment as such, but the pleasure didn’t last long.
You see the point. What if God offers us something far better? What if God will give us joy, and hope, and identity, and purpose and eternal life for free. Well, he does. The question is, will we see it?
Today:
- Reflect on your attitude toward money.
- Remind yourself of what you have in Jesus.
- Take this opportunity to reflect on your generosity towards God’s work.
Pray:
- Praise the Father that he is the source of all good things.
- Give thanks for Jesus who has paid for our eternal blessings.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others flee the love of money and rejoice in the love of God.
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