Acts 8:18-19

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Simon saw the amazing things the apostles could do with the power of God and he wanted that, too. He coveted the ability to heal and perform other miracles. He craved the power and praise that inevitably came along with that. So he tried to buy it from the apostles. He tried to buy the power of God with money.

I’m sure Simon had seen this done before in the course of his life. Why couldn’t he do the same with God? I mean, that’s how things work at times in the world. People pay significant amounts of money to gain influence with politicians or jobs in government. People pay out bribes to weasel out of tough situations or to sway someone’s opinion.

Sometimes people will give a lot of their time in a relationship or to an organization so someday they can cash in on a big return. Sometimes people will “butter up” someone with flattering words to get something they need. I mean, even kids do that.

But Simon would find out and we find out through his evil, the gifts of God cannot be bought and sold. You can’t buy influence with God or a position in his kingdom by donating a lot of money. You can’t purchase spiritual blessings. You can’t give so much of your time that you win time in heaven. There is no such thing as buying spiritual blessings from God.

The reality is God gives you spiritual blessings. He gives forgiveness of your sins and heaven to you through faith. He gives you the fruits of the Spirit. He gives you his presence and attention. He gives you all you need. That’s how wonderful God is.

We serve an amazing God who operates on the basis of grace, not obligation. Contrary to the way things work in this world, God is the opposite. He has gifted you every spiritual blessing you need through Christ Jesus. God can’t be bought and sold, and the wonderful truth is, you don’t need to, because he gives you all the spiritual blessings you need.