What Money Cannot Buy
“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands,
(The Acts of the Apostles 8: 18-20 NASB)
he offered them money,
saying,
“Give this authority to me as well,
so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
But Peter said to him,
“May your silver perish with you,
because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”
The Bible speaks the truth!
The world says money can buy anything, but this is a lie.
God sent His Son as a human man, one who would bear our sin and die in our place. This is the Gospel message. Thus, our redemption is a GIFT, freely given. When we place our faith in Jesus and believe in what He did on the cross and in the tomb when He raised back to new life, then we receive redemption. We are delivered from our sin debt and restored to a right relationship with God, the Creator of all life.
- THIS IS A GIFT FREELY GIVEN, ONE WE NEVER DESERVED!
- THIS IS A GIFT, ONE WE COULD NEVER AFFORD!
- THIS IS A GIFT, ONE THAT COULD NEVER BE BOUGHT!
In ancient days, magic drew a large crowd, and in Samaria, magicians made quite the living selling their demonic power to onlookers. There was once a case of a magician named Simon, who was known for practicing magic in the city, and when he performed, the crowd was astonished. Truly, the people of Samaria thought Simon was someone great. In fact,
“This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”
(The Acts of the Apostles 8: 10b NASB)
I remember attending a magic show when I was a child, mesmerized by the slight-of-hand the magician performed, even though at the time (as a child), I thought the magician really could perform the acts that he did. I truly thought this showman could accurately guess the card someone drew from the deck, that he truly could make objects disappear and then reappear on his command, and that he really was able to create something out of nothing. However, magic is a trade, a trick, a skill learned by reading and studying a book. Magic is a slight-of-hand where one who learns through practice to move his hands quickly, distracting the on-looker with something else while the magic trick is performed.
“But when they believed Philip
(The Acts of the Apostles 8: 12-13 NASB)
preaching the good news about the kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were being baptized, men and women alike.
Even Simon himself [the magician] believed;
and after being baptized,
he continued on with Philip,
and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place,
he was constantly amazed.”
Magicians attempt to control cosmic forces, but their success is dependent upon people accepting their ability to use supernatural power, to control it, to use it in a unique way to benefit the one watching the show.
THE LORD GOD IS NOT A SHOW!
- THE FATHER OF CREATION—Does not perform a magical slight-of-hand when someone Accepted His Son, Believed, & Confessed Jesus as Lord.
- ALMIGHTY GOD, THE LORD—Sent His Only Son Jesus so that salvation could come to all who believe!
ONCE A PERSON BELIEVES IN JESUS—GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT INDWELLS A PERSON—
TRULY THIS IS WHAT MONEY CANNOT BUY!
- The Salvation of God is freely given & freely received by anyone who believes in Jesus!
- The Salvation of God is GOD’S FREE GIFT given through His Amazing Love!
“But Peter said to him,
(The Acts of the Apostles 8: 20 NASB)
“May your silver perish with you,
because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”