Acts 8: Buy the Gift of God? No
on Friday, October 23, 2015Acts 8: 18-20 Money Quote saying your money is useless if you believe you can buy grace and goodness of god by paying for the privilege. Acts 8: 18-20 said:
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit’ Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!'” — Acts 8: 18-20
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This Bible passage recounts Simon the Sorcerer attempting to purchase the power to impart the Holy Spirit with money.
The best interpretation is that it warns against treating spiritual gifts as a commodity that can be bought and sold. Peter’s strong condemnation of Simon suggests one should not see religious authority or salvation as something that can be obtained through wealth or material exchange alone.
The verse implies true spiritual wisdom and virtue cannot be purchased – it must be received as a blessing from God based on faith and character. It promotes the idea that the gifts of the divine are not for sale at any price.
Overall, the passage discourages monetizing or commercializing holy matters for personal gain. It teaches that what comes from God cannot be possessed or controlled through financial means for corrupt purposes, but rather is bestowed freely according to divine will.