Loading... HE OFFERED THEM MONEY - Acts 8:18-19
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008Acts 8:18-19 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.
Simon was a sorcerer from Samaria. Through the preaching of Philip, Simon was both saved and baptized and he started following Philip. Simon was a changed man but he had not yet learned to completely yield to all the temptations that this world had to offer. Simon was a young Christian and when he saw Peter and the other apostles lay their hands of people so that they received the Holy Ghost, he too desired to be used of God to draw others into a closer relationship with HIM.
The problem with Simon was that he did not fully understand the ways of God. Simon was use to being the center of attention because of his great powers and now he desired to have the powers of God. What Simon did not understand was that the gifts of God are free and that it was not his money that God desired but that it was a heart totally dedicated to HIM.
We are often just like Simon, we think that God is pleased with our gifts of money. Somehow we think that God is obligated to do great things through us just because we proclaim to be a Christian and we do good things for HIM. The ways of God are not our ways.
Just as Simon was rebuked by Peter for trying to purchase the power of God, so God will rebuke us when we think that we can obtain the favor of God with the things of this world. God desires that we forsake the lusts of the flesh so that our heart can remain pure towards HIM. This means that every day we must exercise temperance and not allow anything to come between us and our relationship with God.
Simon was used to having power and was used to using his money to obtain that which he desired. Simon had a long way to go to learn the higher ways of God. When Simon was convicted by Peter of his sin, Simon immediately confessed his sin.
We are going to make mistakes in our life and we are going to allow the lusts of the flesh to control us. We will sin and we will fall short of the glory of God. However, when God brings it to our attention that we have allowed the lusts of our flesh to control us and that we have not been temperate, then we need to follow the example of Simon and immediate repent.
If we desire to have a heart after the heart of God, we must be willing to change from our wicked ways. David committed a great sin when he committed adultery with Bath-sheba and then followed by killing her husband. When Nathan came and revealed to David his sin; David also was real quick in repenting.
God will forgive you when you have sinned and fallen short of HIS perfect will. Do not let Satan deceive you into believing that there is no hope for forgiveness. Yes you were wrong when you did not show temperance and thus yielded to the lusts of this flesh, but Christ died on the cross for you and your sins.
God does not want your money, HE wants you. God wants you to be willing to go anywhere and do anything for HIS glory. When you sin and allow the things of this world to control you; stop, repent, and return to HIS perfect plan for your life. You have chosen to follow HIM; it is time to start acting like God is in control of your life.