Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Oh Friends, it’s one day less of the Christmas season and one day closer to that big, annual bash of Old Year’s. Yeah, I know in the northern climes it’s called New Year’s Eve, but in the good old, southern Caribbean tradition, I prefer Old Year’s. ( smile) Although today was a holiday for many, the stores were open and did a brisk business; money and sales were certainly in vogue for another day. When and where will it end eh? That brings us to our Bit, where Peter and John were offered money for the power to lay hands on people and give them the Holy Ghost. Poor Simon the sorcerer, of a city in Samaria; he really had no clue of what the Spirit was all about. Now yesterday we looked at a couple of examples where money or some inducement was offered for God’s free gift, free blessing, but turned down. Today we’ll talk of another. One day, while king Belshazzar and the Babylonian court partied in the palace using the golden and silver vessels brought from the temple in Jerusalem by the king’s father Nebuchadnezzar; ‘In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candle-stick (opposite the lamp stand) upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.’ (Dan.5:5) Obviously the king became afraid and called for all his astrologers, soothsayers and wise men, but none could interpret the words. However, the queen remembered Daniel interpreting dreams for Nebuchadnezzar, and eventually he was called to interpret the words on the wall. Here’s the king’s offer: ‘now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet will I read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.’ (Dan.5:16-17) Yes Friends, Daniel did not need the king’s gifts to interpret God’s words. His services were freely offered because our God doesn’t have to indulge in menial trading and bartering for His blessings. And the words of Jesus, our Lord, Leader and Saviour clearly verify that. ‘Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.’ (Mat.10:8) If Jesus says so, then it’s so, my people. Whatever we’ve received freely, we should also give freely, not charge or expect remuneration for it, though in many cases in our corrupt world that’s exactly what happens; men of God are charging or expecting gifts in return for blessings they have freely received. Now that’s not right my people, for as Peter continued admonishing Simon: ‘Thou hast neither part nor lot (portion) in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of (poisoned by) bitterness, and in the bond (bound by) iniquity.’ (Acts 8:21-23) Oh Friends, that’s what it’s all about; a right heart. Even when we’re doing good deeds, the Lord also expects us to have the right motives, not just doing them to get rewards. We should remember that in all we do, motive counts for everything with our God. Unfortunately it doesn’t say if Simon really changed, but he did plead with Peter: ‘Pray ye the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.’ (Acts 8:24) But at least he seemed headed in the right direction. And that’s very important too my people, because we all make mistakes and our God will be more forgiving if He sees that we’re truly trying to do the right thing for the right reasons. But if the Holy Spirit can’t be bought with money or gifts, then how can we receive it? Peter answered that question on the Day of Pentecost, when they, the apostles, received the Spirit of Jesus in a mighty rush of wind and ‘cloven tongues like as of fire.’ (Acts 2:3) He told the crowd: ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.’ (Acts 2:38-39) Yes my people, that’s the ONLY way to receive the Spirit of Jesus; through sincere repentance, baptism and acceptance of Him as your Lord and Saviour. It’s easy, simple and FREE to ALL; Jews and Gentiles alike, and promised to all generations. No money or gifts are necessary; just proffer a right and repentant heart. Let’s remember that and be wary of those who try to make us pay for what they’ve freely received. Much LOVE!…for the LOVE of money…is the ROOT of all evil…
Oh Friends, it’s one day less of the Christmas season and one day closer to that big, annual bash of Old Year’s. Yeah, I know in the northern climes it’s called New Year’s Eve, but in the good old, southern Caribbean tradition, I prefer Old Year’s. ( smile) Although today was a holiday for many, the stores were open and did a brisk business; money and sales were certainly in vogue for another day. When and where will it end eh? That brings us to our Bit, where Peter and John were offered money for the power to lay hands on people and give them the Holy Ghost. Poor Simon the sorcerer, of a city in Samaria; he really had no clue of what the Spirit was all about. Now yesterday we looked at a couple of examples where money or some inducement was offered for God’s free gift, free blessing, but turned down. Today we’ll talk of another. One day, while king Belshazzar and the Babylonian court partied in the palace using the golden and silver vessels brought from the temple in Jerusalem by the king’s father Nebuchadnezzar; ‘In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candle-stick (opposite the lamp stand) upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.’ (Dan.5:5) Obviously the king became afraid and called for all his astrologers, soothsayers and wise men, but none could interpret the words. However, the queen remembered Daniel interpreting dreams for Nebuchadnezzar, and eventually he was called to interpret the words on the wall. Here’s the king’s offer: ‘now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet will I read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.’ (Dan.5:16-17) Yes Friends, Daniel did not need the king’s gifts to interpret God’s words. His services were freely offered because our God doesn’t have to indulge in menial trading and bartering for His blessings. And the words of Jesus, our Lord, Leader and Saviour clearly verify that. ‘Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.’ (Mat.10:8) If Jesus says so, then it’s so, my people. Whatever we’ve received freely, we should also give freely, not charge or expect remuneration for it, though in many cases in our corrupt world that’s exactly what happens; men of God are charging or expecting gifts in return for blessings they have freely received. Now that’s not right my people, for as Peter continued admonishing Simon: ‘Thou hast neither part nor lot (portion) in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of (poisoned by) bitterness, and in the bond (bound by) iniquity.’ (Acts 8:21-23) Oh Friends, that’s what it’s all about; a right heart. Even when we’re doing good deeds, the Lord also expects us to have the right motives, not just doing them to get rewards. We should remember that in all we do, motive counts for everything with our God. Unfortunately it doesn’t say if Simon really changed, but he did plead with Peter: ‘Pray ye the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.’ (Acts 8:24) But at least he seemed headed in the right direction. And that’s very important too my people, because we all make mistakes and our God will be more forgiving if He sees that we’re truly trying to do the right thing for the right reasons. But if the Holy Spirit can’t be bought with money or gifts, then how can we receive it? Peter answered that question on the Day of Pentecost, when they, the apostles, received the Spirit of Jesus in a mighty rush of wind and ‘cloven tongues like as of fire.’ (Acts 2:3) He told the crowd: ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.’ (Acts 2:38-39) Yes my people, that’s the ONLY way to receive the Spirit of Jesus; through sincere repentance, baptism and acceptance of Him as your Lord and Saviour. It’s easy, simple and FREE to ALL; Jews and Gentiles alike, and promised to all generations. No money or gifts are necessary; just proffer a right and repentant heart. Let’s remember that and be wary of those who try to make us pay for what they’ve freely received. Much LOVE!…for the LOVE of money…is the ROOT of all evil…
SCRIP-BITS 