Acts 8:20, New International Version

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

In the book of Acts there we read about a man named Simon who had practiced sorcery, but who believed and was baptized when Philip proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Simon became a Christian according to what we know.

Simon followed Philip everywhere, and he was astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. Yet, was he a true Christ follower like Philip was? Sadly, this is not what we see based on Simon’s later story…

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 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! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.’” (Acts 8:14-23, NIV)

People may think there are different ways to follow Jesus, but there is only one Way that Jesus laid the foundation of with His life. There are many like Simon who are tempted to go another way, a way that leads to the destruction of sin. Whether it be the wickedness of the flesh, the old self, the evil behind the scenes that whispering the temptation to their hearts, or the manipulation from the knowledge of this world. The truth is this:

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” (Matthew 6:24, Amplified Bible)

This is the Word we should listen to and learn from: “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” (Acts 5:3-5, NIV)

May you heed the Word! Never make the mistake of thinking there is any way you can fool God.