Acts 8:20 – 22
(20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (21) Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. (22) Repent therefore of this wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Today I want to focus on a man named Simon. Simon was a man who had been using sorcery (trickery) to make people believe that he had a gift from God, was right with God, or even a man of God if you will. But he was FAR from it. He was like a lot of “church” people today actually. (Hey, don’t hate the messenger. I’m just calling it like God’s Word calls it. And at one time, I too, was a Simon to an extent).
So many in today’s “churches” feel and believe that as long as they show up, throw a little money in the offering plate that they will be blessed. (A gift of God) Granted, to stay in context Simon was looking to purchase some Holy Ghost power. That’s something that simply cant be bought or earned – its GIVEN. Most often through much prayer AND fasting. Yet, so many do this week in and week out thinking they are getting a blessing from God. If this is you, you might as well burn that check or $20 bill. God’s not going to honor it. He knows why you’re giving it, and how much you SHOULD be giving as well! It’s flat out wickedness. He knows your intent, if need be – repent!
I will sum it this way: as I said before, there was a time when I too was a Simon. I didn’t necessarily use sorcery, but I used “flattery” to make people believe I was something that I wasn’t. All that changed when the Holy Spirit of God got a hold of me and showed me the error of my ways. It was useless before I got saved, but even more so after. Even though I was saved, I still wasn’t “right”. (A lot of people need to get that too, but that’s for another day). A person who doesn’t know Christ as their Savior throwing money at the church expecting some sort of blessing or gift, will perish (die) with their money . Likewise, a saved person can throw all the money they have in the plate and still not reap from it. Why? IT ALL DEPENDS UPON THE HEART! Why are you putting what you are in there? Is it so others will see? Is it because grandma or grandpa told you it was right? Or, how about you do it because you love the Lord and His House and want to see Him glorified? You see, if your heart/intent isn’t right, just keep your money. Just keep it. The church can/will/should use it, but you will receive no blessings for it. God only gives power and gifts to those who truly want it! And they will prove that they want it in varying forms. The biggest way? Taking time out of your day to spend with Him and ONLY Him! I find it best for me to do so early in the morning with a hot cup of coffee and my dog actually. I also use most of my lunch breaks at work to read/study/listen to preaching on the radio sitting in my work truck. I don’t say this to elevate myself, rather to give examples of how you too can experience the REAL power/gifts of God in your life. I can truly testify that in the last year or so I have never been as close to the Lord as I am now. I will substitute nothing for it! Yes, I was giving to the church before, but my heart just wasn’t right! Now, whether He chooses to bless me or not is irrelevant. I give because I love my Savior! How about you? Why do you do, what you do….?
Bro. Billy McCormick