Your Money Perish with You - Acts 8:20

The physician Luke wrote, “when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter told Simon, “your money perish with you” where we read:

But Peter said unto him, Your money perish with you,

because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

The verse begins, “But Peter said unto him, Your money perish with you, ...” Luke began with the words, “but Peter said unto him” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Peter whose name means a little rock or stone and was Jesus' apostle uttered, declared and proclaimed to Simon”, “your money perish with you” or “your, Simon's, wealth, silver and riches, be destroyed, ruined and wasted along with you, Simon”. Luke shared how “Peter” rebuked “Simon” by telling him that his “money” would be “destroyed and ruined” along with him.

The verse goes on to say, “... because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”. Luke continued with the words, “because you have thought” which means “since and on account that you, Simon, deem, think and suppose” “that the gift of God” or “that the gratuity belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised with God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “may be purchased with money” which means “can be acquired, procured and possessed with wealth, silver and riches”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Simon” he and his “money” would be destroyed because he “supposed” the “gift of the Holy Spirit” could be bought with “silver, wealth or riches”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” aggressively rebuked “Simon” for believing the “gift of the Holy Spirit” could be purchased. As one who practiced sorcery, “Simon” was used to “buying” magical tricks, and he thought the “gifts of God” could be bought in the same manner. God loves people, and He paid the price for the salvation of mankind through the death of His Son Jesus. The “gifts of God” are now “freely given” to every person who yields their life to Jesus. Let all who read these words submit themselves to Jesus and never attempt to purchase the “supernatural gifts” that belong to God.

Next time Luke shares how Peter told Simon, “you have neither part nor lot in this matter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".