Description: Can the power of God be bought with money? Today we examine the story of Simon the Sorcerer, a man who believed in the miracles but failed to grasp the grace behind them. This devotion serves as a solemn warning against seeking God for personal gain and reminds us that a right heart is more important than any outward confession.

Scripture: Acts 8:18-23

Explanation: This encounter between the Apostle Peter and Simon the Sorcerer is a crucial lesson for the church in every age. Simon had been a man of great influence in Samaria, amazing people with his magic. He witnessed the genuine power of God through Philip, and the text says he 'believed' and was baptized. However, his belief was superficial. When he saw the apostles impart the Holy Spirit, his old mindset kicked in. He saw it not as a gracious gift from a holy God to His children, but as a superior form of magic, a power to be acquired and wielded for influence. His offer of money revealed the true condition of his heart: it was unregenerate, still captivated by pride, and seeking to control the things of God for personal glory. Peter’s rebuke is severe because the error is so dangerous. It reduces the Holy Spirit to a commodity and salvation to a transaction. Peter diagnoses Simon’s problem perfectly: his heart was 'not right before God.'

Parable: Imagine a brilliant but arrogant billionaire, Mr. Sterling, who was famous for his corporate takeovers. He heard about a humble soup kitchen in the poorest part of the city, run by a man named David. This kitchen was legendary; it wasn't just the food, but there was a palpable sense of peace and hope there. Broken people walked in and left with their dignity restored. Sterling, ever the pragmatist, was fascinated. He visited, saw the incredible transformations, and decided he wanted to franchise it. He approached David with a briefcase full of cash. 'I'm impressed,' Sterling said. 'I want to buy your methodology. Your 'secret sauce.' I'll pay you ten million dollars for the rights to your system. We'll call it 'Sterling's Hope Centers' and open one in every major city. It'll be a huge success.' David just shook his head sadly. 'Sir, you don't understand. There is no secret sauce to buy. There is no system to franchise. The 'power' you see here is love—a gift freely received from God and freely given to these people. It cannot be bought, packaged, or branded. It can only be experienced when you humble yourself and serve others out of a genuine love for them and for God. Your money is worthless here, because you are trying to purchase what can only be received with an empty, open hand and a surrendered heart.' Mr. Sterling’s desire to possess and control the 'product' revealed he never truly understood the 'process' of love and sacrifice.

Moral: The lesson from Simon and Mr. Sterling is clear: the gifts of God, especially salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are not for sale. They cannot be earned by our works, bought with our wealth, or obtained through any human effort. They are gifts of grace, received through faith and genuine repentance. We must constantly examine our own hearts to ensure we are seeking God Himself, not just what we can get from Him. As Jesus taught, we must be poor in spirit to inherit the kingdom. For it is written in Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV, 'for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.'