“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”
Acts 8:20
Simon, the sorcerer, watched in awe as the Holy Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. Accustomed to buying influence and selling power, he reached for his money as usual and said, “Give me also this power.” Peter’s response was firm and sobering: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20).
This story mirrors our common human instinct to earn, purchase, or negotiate what God freely gives. But the greatest things in the kingdom are not transactions; they are gifts. The Spirit is God’s gracious provision to believing hearts.
The believer’s greatest gift is not fame, position, or power, but God Himself dwelling within us. Grace offends pride because it cannot be controlled — it can only be accepted. Every time we forget this, we risk turning faith into a marketplace. Yet God calls us back to simplicity: open hands, humble hearts, and childlike trust. The gift remains free, pure, and powerful not because of our efforts, but because of His love.
Charge: What cannot be bought with silver or gold is freely received through faith and surrender.
Further Study: John 7:37-39; Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38; Romans 2:11, 3:24; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5.
