Making Mistakes Around God (Bring Down the Idol Called Money)

Baptist Daily Devotional
May 9
2 min read

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 9 2025 | Acts 8:18-19

KEY VERSE: “¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money ¹⁹ and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:18-19 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Money is good, I can tell you that, and you know it well; but money is not everything. Money is a tool that God gives us to do His will while here on earth. Money is a good servant but a very bad master, especially when it is used to bully systems, buy people, and attempt to bribe God.

We have been informed that Simon the Sorcerer believed in the preaching of Philip and was baptised. So far, so good. However, Simon needed to change his thinking about the spirituality of Christianity, which was against the spirituality of his life before conversion. In his pre-Christian experience, he was the showman; he knew how certain spirits operated and what rites, rituals and steps could get them to tantalise the minds and spirits of the people around Samaria. People would pay him to bring about certain realities for them, and maybe when he thought he needed more power, he could go to other magicians and buy additional powers.

With this mindset, Simon, when he saw the divine operation in the impartation of the Holy Spirit through the specially God-arranged laying on of the hands of the Apostles Peter and John, offered money to buy the power to also lay hands on people so that they could receive the outpouring of the Spirit.

Simon made mistakes. He thought money could buy God and the gifts of God. He wrongly thought that the Apostles were the possessors and willful dispensers of the power to make the Spirit happen.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Be sober and regulated in your moves around God. You cannot buy God, bribe God, or bamboozle God. Approach spirituality with a true knowledge of the Bible and in humility.

PRAYER:

Dear God in Heaven, how foolish I am to think that I own you and can manipulate you. Please give me a proper understanding of your gracious permission for my participation in your grace, and please steer me from making a mess around you. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 129: Judges 14 - Samson’s Marriage and Revenge

DAILY word study: GIVE ME The Greek phrase for “give me” in Acts 8:19 is δώτε καὶ ἐμοί (dote kai emoi) — from the verb δίδωμι (didōmi), meaning to give, to offer, to grant.

The request may sound simple, but it carries a misunderstanding. Simon didn’t ask with humility—he tried to transact with God. The words show a command tone, as if spiritual gifts could be exchanged like goods. It reflected his old worldview, not the new life of faith. True faith abandons transactions and opens itself fully to grace.

Reflection: Examine yourself to ensure you aren’t bargaining or bidding for what God gives freely by grace.