You Can't Buy It

Acts 8
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou
hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Acts 8:20


LET IT GLOW

An angel of the Lord led deacon Philip away from Samaria to the place where
a eunuch, an officer of the Ethiopian queen's court, was reading Isaiah 53.
Philip asked the man if he understood what he read. The uenuch answered,
"How can I, except some man guide me?" Philip preached unto him Jesus.
The man believed and was baptized along the roadside.

Perhaps the Lord will change my agenda, leading me elsewhere than I have
planned. If I am obedient, I, too, can lead others to salvation in Jesus. I need
to look for others seeking the Lord Jesus.


LET IT GROW

There are some things money can't buy-loyalty, integrity, wisdom, honesty,
God's love, salvation, the Holy Spirit. The list can on, I'm sure.
At the beginning of chapter 8, Saul (later Paul) approved of Stephen's death.
Saul entered every house and took the people that were Christians to prison.
(verse 3) In the next chapter we see Saul changed.

Verse 4 says,"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where
preaching the word."
Deacon Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ. The people
responded, unclean spirits were cast out, and the crippled were healed.
Before this, a sorcerer named Simon had influenced the people of this area.
Some said his power was from God, but not so. When these people came
to know the Lord and were baptized, Simon wanted to join in with them.

In Liberty Bible Commentary, Jerry Falwell says:

"There seems to be some little doubt about the legitimacy of Simon's
conversion. There is no sign of repentance. There is no confession of sin. But
there is the statement that he continued with Philip and wondered, beholding
the miracles and signs which were done. Apparantly Simon wanted the secret
of Philip's power. His only concern was not for his own soul but for the ability
to get close to Philip and learn the secret of his ability to heal the sick and
perform miracles."

Verse 18-19  tells us, "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."

As I said before, there are some things that money can't buy, and and the
Holy Spirit is one of them. By this time, Peter and John had joined Philip.
Peter replied to Simon,"May your money be destroyed with you for thinking
God's gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not
right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he
will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy
and are held captive by sin." (verses 20-23 NLT)

Simon asked Peter to pray for him, but scripture does not say what happened
after that.


LET IT GO

Trust the Lord's leading as He changes my agenda. Look for those seeking
Him.

Submit to the Holy Spirit's wisdom in all situations.