From time to time when I meet someone, God will speak to me about that person. Often I don’t have a lot of information about them. Sometimes, God shows me that they need prayer. Sometimes, He shows me that they are up to no good.
Perhaps you wish you were able to do that? Perhaps you want to know how? Perhaps you’d like to purchase that ability? It’s not for sale.
When God speaks to us is up to God. God also decides which gifts to give us. They are to be used to glorify God. They serve to bring people to the Lord.
Philip was preaching in Samaria. The people saw the miracles he did. Unclean spirits came out of many, and many people were healed.
And there was great joy in that city. 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: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Acts 8:8-13
I suspect that when the people of Samaria met with the real power of God, Simon’s credibility took a hit. If he was making any money off of it, his business probably took a dive. Simon decided to join the crowd and see what this was all about.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast 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. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Acts 8:18-24
Peter called him out as not being a Christian because of his offer to buy the power of God. He realized that Simon was not saved. It had all been an act.
Who do you know today that is trying to bargain with God for His power, love, and gifts?
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
We love him, because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19
Today’s challenge is to accept the gifts God has for you, and to fully understand that you cannot buy them on any level. They aren’t for sale. You cannot earn them in any way. What He chooses to give you, He gives you because He loves you.