September 27, 2023

Acts 8: 18-20 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.” Peter answered, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” (NIV)

Power is never achieved when pursued for itself.*

Our church office often gets phone calls from people who would like to use our facilities for a wedding. Of course, they are disappointed when they are told that it is our policy to only allow members of our congregation to hold weddings there. One caller clearly had her heart set on holding her wedding in our building. “What do I have to do to become a member?” she asked. Not quite the same as, “What must I do to be saved?” Neither is it the same as Simon’s request to buy the ability to dispense the Holy Spirit to others by touching them – but it is equally misguided.

There is nothing in Simon’s request as recorded here to indicate that he had anything but good intentions for the special gift he wanted to buy, but Peter, who witnessed his words, his tone, and his body language, could see that Simon was “full of bitterness and captive to sin.” (8: 23) Simon wanted this gift for his own personal gain, not for the glory of God or to bless others. Shame on you, Peter might have said. Your heart cannot be right with God if you think you can buy something from him.

I have seen people use the church for selfish purposes as well - not just for facility-usage privileges but also to further a political career, to increase their client base for a home business, to get reduced tuition to our Christian school, and even to spread false teaching. We don’t always have Peter’s ability to perceive another’s impure motives but we should be prepared to follow Peter’s example when we are faced with them. “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord,” he said. (8: 22) Don’t pretend that wrong is right. Tell them the solution, and pray for them.

There’s a risk in confronting a brother or sister in Christ, but there’s a greater risk, for them and for the church, if we do not confront.*