BUYING POWER
Jenna Worsham
Today's Scripture: “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 8:18-19
Theme: Sometimes we try to buy our way into holiness, leadership, or power. While this often works in the world, it doesn’t work with God.
BUYING TRAINING
I greatly admire a well-trained dog. I remember being at a loss as to how to teach our dog to listen. I knew it could be done well. As a teen, I babysat for a professional obedience trainer. All of his dogs listened to his instructions and followed them. He did not use force or raise his voice. He used simple commands and the dogs responded without question the first time. When released from instructions, the dogs were friendly and polite. As a first-time dog owner, I called a local trainer, credit card in hand, ready to pay for a perfectly trained dog. “We need training for our dog,” I explained. “May I buy it, please?” I was very disappointed to discover that the power of a trainer can’t be sold. “Dog training,” I was told, “is as much for the owner as it is for the dog.” I couldn’t pay to get my dog trained. Dogs can be trained by a trainer and they will learn. However, if the method and skills learned by the dog in training were not also learned and practiced by the everyday owner, the dog quickly abandons the behaviors cultivated in training. I’d have to “buy in” with more than money to become a trained owner with a trained dog – no shortcuts.
THE WRONG MOTIVE
What is unusual about this passage is that, on one level, Simon’s goal appears to be the same as that of the disciples – to give the Holy Spirit to people desiring Him. Yet his motive for wanting the ability was power. “Give me this power...” he said. And he had the means (he thought) to buy it. However, God doesn’t work the same way that people do. His power is not for sale. We don’t know for sure what happened to Simon after this exchange. Did he change his request, repent of his wrong desire to buy power, and receive the Holy Spirit the way the disciples originally did in Acts 1:8? Did he go on to continue performing and influencing people as a “great” sorcerer? While the passage doesn’t give us a satisfactory conclusion to his story, we can consider all the possible outcomes as we face our own power grabs.
Make It Personal: In what ways am I tempted to try and purchase a favorable outcome? Does the dog training example resonate with you? How am I tempted to “buy a trained dog” rather than “become a trained owner?” If not, what quick fix did you think you could buy but later found it was not available for purchase—at any price? What has God revealed to you today about your motives?
Pray: Father, forgive me for trying to grasp for power. Help me to humbly seek You and serve rather than strut. Your Holy Spirit is a gift to me and to anyone who accepts You. Thank You for generously providing Your presence and power even though I don’t deserve it. Help me to be thankful and sincere in my desire to help others and share the Good News about Jesus. Thank You for the people in my life who help redirect me when I try to do good things with a wrong or selfish motive. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Acts 8:18-25; Acts 1:8; Psalm 68:35; Deuteronomy 8:18
Weekly Memory Verse: “Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” 1 Chronicles 29:12, ESV