God Cannot be Bought

Simony

Can you pronounce the word on the screen?

Do you know what it means?

It is a very old word that is rarely used in modern times.

Webster’s dictionary says:

Simony: the buying or selling of a church office or ecclesiastical preferment (Mirriam-Webster)

During the middle ages, this word was used to describe a very common practice involving money and the Roman Catholic Church.

In medieval times the most well educated and wealthy people were religious leaders in the Roman Catholic Church; specially if you were a bishop, an archbishop, or a cardinal.

Wealthy families wanted to ensure the well-being of their boys. So, they would offer large sums of money to church leaders so that their boys would have a leadership position within the church.

As an example, a family would pay $100,000 so their son could be the priest of a large church. If the son grew up and he did not want to be in the priesthood, he could either rent his position or sell it to someone else.

Why are we talking about simony today?

Well, the reason is that in our message today we will learn about Simon the sorceror (magician).

Hechos de los Apóstoles 8:9–10 NIV

9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”

This man had a special connection to the occult and through the power of Satan and demons, he would do magic for the people.

He was not a trickster. He was the real deal, an actual sorceror.

However, when the gospel spread to Samaria, in his hometown, the Bible says that Phillip preached the gospel and even Simon believed and was baptized.

Hechos de los Apóstoles 8:13 NIV

13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Initially, we may think this is wonderful news.

He started following Phillip everywhere he went because Simon was “astonished” by all the miracles that Phillip was doing.

Just imagine the great miracles that God was performing through Phillip.

These miracles were so great…that even the great sorceror Simon was surprised to see these signs and miracles.

The man who used to serve the devil and demons is now a believer in Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, the Bible tells us what was really going on in Simon’s life.

Two of the apostles - Peter and John - had come from Jerusalem to see the new believers in Samaria.

Hechos de los Apóstoles 8:17 NIV

17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

The Bible does not tell us exactly what happened when these new believers received the Holy Spirit.

Whatever happened, look at Simon’s reaction:

Hechos de los Apóstoles 8:18–19 NIV

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.”

Simon wants the same power.

Simon wants to be able to lay his hands on people so that they may also receive the Holy Spirit.

…how bad does he want this power? He wants this power so much that he is willing to pay good money so that he may also have this power.

So…here we have Simon practicing the evil deed of “simony” - offering money so that he may buy a spiritual power.

But immediately he is rebuked by Peter.

Hechos de los Apóstoles 8:20–21 NIV

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Simon does not understand a fundamental truth about God:

You cannot buy God’s gift with money.

You cannot buy any of God’s gifts with money:

Salvation

Forgiveness

The Holy Spirit

Healing

Joy

…so then, how can I receive God’s gifts?

Mateo 7:11 NIV

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

You simply come to him and ask.

You humbly come before his presence and ask him.

You come, having been forgiveness, by his son Jesus Christ and simply call out to God who delights in giving gifts to his people.

Let’s pray:

Our Father, we come before you with thankfulness knowing that you offer freely offer forgiveness of sins and eternal life. There is nothing we can do, and there is no amount of money we can pay to earn your forgiveness or to receive your gifts. You pour out your gifts upon your people because you are merciful and you delight in blessing your people. Thank you for the gifts that you continue to pour upon us…in Jesus name we pray, Amen.