Money Can't Buy This!

Acts 8:20

Peter answered, “May your Money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

It’s been said that money can’t buy you Love, although some have tried. Money can buy you a house but it can’t make it a home. Money can purchase you a bed but it can’t make you sleep. Money can buy you clothes but it cannot purchase your self-esteem. There is something immaterial that money has no control over and that is your Spirit. God is the only one who is able to pour in you his spirit and ability. It is even God who gives you the ability to get wealth. It is not your wealth that gives you the ability to be like God. You can do a lot of things with money but you can’t buy God.

Simon the Sorcerer was used to people following him when he used his magic to draw them but when the people heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ they were baptized and started following the Apostles. Simon was drawn by the miraculous signs, wonders, and gospel; he was baptized as well. When Peter and John came to Samaria to lay hands on the people they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this he wanted in on this “action.” He was attracted to the signs and the popularity of the Apostles and wanted to purchase the Holy Spirit. He had been baptized but he had not been regenerated. His heart had not been changed. 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 responded, ‘May you and your money go to Hell because you believed you could buy God’s gift with money!”

Money can’t buy what only comes through Relationship. God’s Holy Spirit is free to those who have been born again and are in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Many of us have been trying to buy only what God can give. This is why your money won’t work:

Peter told Simon, “you heart ain’t right with God!” This is how you get right with God:

a. Change your heart and life. When you come to God for the right reason his Holy Spirit will begin to regenerate your heart and your life will begin to realign itself around God’s will. Your heart will drive you to make changes in your life that are pleasing to God.

b. Turn from your wickedness. We can’t drag old ways into a new life. We have to make a U-turn and head in a New Direction.

c. Ask for forgiveness. Peter tells Simon he should plead to God not to send him to hell for trying to purchase the Holy Spirit for his own material gain. If we confess our sins God will forgive us our sins.

d. Get at the root of your bitterness and envy. Simon envied the Apostles because they were getting the attention he used to get. We need to always check our motives to see what’s really driving us. If we can identify the source of our emptiness God can fill us with his Holy Spirit instead of covering up with stuff that can never satisfy.

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me the ability to be wealthy in your spirit and not in money. When I seek you first all these other things will come. I want you more than anything God. I can have money and still be miserable if I don’t have you. God I thank you for your Holy Spirit that makes me prosper even as my soul prospers. Lord Keep my heart pure today so that my ways are pleasing to you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen