He’s not for sale
And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:18-19
Have you ever tried to “earn” something from God? Maybe it wasn’t money, but perhaps it was your efforts, your good behavior, or your performance. It’s something deeply ingrained in human nature, that is the belief that we can somehow “do” enough, give enough, or be enough to gain access to God’s power or presence. But the truth is: God’s presence is not for sale.
In today’s passage, we meet Simon, once a well-known sorcerer who amazed the people of Samaria with his magical tricks. He had a reputation. People actually called him “the Great Power of God.” But when the gospel was preached and the truth of Jesus was revealed, Simon, along with many others, believed and was baptized. However, old habits die hard.
When Simon saw the apostles lay hands on people and witnessed the Holy Spirit being given, he immediately reverted to his old mindset of thinking spiritual power could be bought, just like his influence used to be. He offered money, thinking he could purchase the ability to pass on the Holy Spirit. But Peter sharply rebuked him, exposing the deeper issue: his heart was not right before God. Simon’s request revealed that he still didn’t understand the meaning of God’s gift and that it is not about control or performance; it’s about surrender and relationship.
God doesn’t want your performance, He wants your heart. His gifts are freely given, but they require a surrendered posture. If you want to be used by God, it starts by being with God. The power comes through intimacy, not transaction.
Here are some practical steps to apply this principle in your daily life:
- Start each day with humility. Begin with a simple prayer: “Holy Spirit, I yield to You today. Lead me, teach me, and shape me.”
- Stay rooted in Scripture. Read the Word not just to gain knowledge, but to know His heart. Start with Acts 8 and reflect on the difference between Simon’s motives and the apostles’ hearts.
- Guard your motives. Before acting on what you feel God is calling you to do, ask: “Is this about me being seen, or about God being glorified?”
- Invite the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. He desires daily relationship with you. He wants to guide, comfort, convict, and empower you.
Today I want to encourage you to recognize that you cannot buy God’s favor, and you don’t need to. His Spirit isn’t earned, it’s received. Let go of the pressure to perform and embrace the invitation to draw near. The closer you get to God, the more clearly you will understand that everything you’re searching for is already available to you through your relationship with Jesus. Like Simon, we may come from a past full of pride or performance, but God’s grace invites us into a better way, one that is built on surrender, not self-promotion. So today, don’t try to earn God’s power, walk in it by walking closely with Him.
If you have never had a personal encounter with God through His Spirit, you can do that right now. All you need to do is start talking to Him and invite Him into your life. You can start your conversation with a pray like the one below. But don’t stop there. Now the door is open, and you can begin to talk to Him about every area of your life. He will lead and He will comfort you. You cannot buy the presence of God; you can only humble yourself and invite Him in. It is personal and it is for you. Trust Him as your best friend today and if you truly turn your life over to Him, He will lead you in the perfect path of righteousness.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture: Acts 8:9-25
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,
10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”
11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Journal:
- In what areas of my life am I still trying to “earn” something from God?
- What would it look like to fully surrender that area and receive His presence by faith instead of performance?
The Daily Dose 