Kind Words

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
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. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
Acts 8:14-25

It must have seemed like a good business deal. Simon the Sorcerer offered the Apostles money to buy power so that people would receive the Holy Spirit when he laid his hands on them. But Peter’s response was not what he expected: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.” (Acts 8:20-21)

Harsh words, but it seems that Peter’s harshest words were to those who came to Christ looking for what they could get. Ananias and Sapphira sold land and then lied to the Apostles. Perhaps they thought they could buy the respect that Barnabas had received for selling his land and giving all the money to the Apostles, but at a cheaper price. Peter asked “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?….What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” (Acts 5:3-4)

Did Peter remember Ananias and Sapphira’s fatal mistake when he spoke to Simon? Or did he remember the way that he had once been? He used to be a fisherman, and as a fisherman, he would have known how to do business. He would have known about bargaining and how to make a profit. Even when he was following Jesus, Peter once asked: “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27)

But now he was different. He had followed Jesus, denied Jesus, been reinstated, and now was a totally committed “fisher of men”. His words to Simon were harsh but they were also kind because they taught the truth. The gifts of God, His love and forgiveness, cannot be bought – not with money, not with works, not even with hours of prayer and Bible study if we think that we are bargaining with God. They can only be accepted with thankful hearts.

Prayer:
• Are you trying to buy God’s love? There is nothing you can give that comes near to its price. Simply accept it with thanks.