Acts 8:14-23: a reflection

14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God. 22Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”

The Spirit is falling on the new believers in Samaria, and Simon, a former sorcerer, watches and wants it, so much that he offers the apostles money: give me this ability too. Peter's answer is sharp: may your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money. Your heart is not right; you are in the gall of bitterness.

Notice what went wrong in Simon. He saw something of God and at once wanted it as a possession, a capability he could own and use, and he reached for his wallet. He treated the gift of God as a commodity and himself as its purchaser. It is a temptation nearer to us than it looks: to want what God gives less for God's sake than for what it would do for us, the standing or the usefulness it would buy.

But hear how Peter ends, because it is not only rebuke. Repent, he says, and ask God; perhaps the intent of your heart will be forgiven. Even a heart caught grasping and bitter is not past the reach of repentance. If you find in yourself a desire to use God rather than to love him, do not despair and do not excuse it. Name it, repent of it, and ask. The gift cannot be bought, but it can be received by an honest, humbled heart.

Lord, keep me from wanting your gifts more than I want you, or trying to use what only comes as grace. Where my heart grasps, give me repentance, and receive me humbled and honest.