How much does that cost?

Reading: Isaiah 58-59, Psalm 5, and Acts 8

Scripture: Acs 8:18, Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

Thoughts: Growing up in the age of the televangelists of the 80s and 90s, there were countless times where I heard someone say Be healed and to confirm your faith in that healing give some amount of money. Or you will be blessed if you send us a contribution. The fact that these televangelists made as much money as they did shows that people are willing to pay for a blessing. Simon the Sorcerer was looking for the same thing, not only had his popularity waned due to the true power of God brought by the apostles he also saw them sharing the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. How often do we try to pay for something that is a gift? God wants to give us grace and mercy, yet it is easy to throw it in His face and say I want to pay for it. Whenever we try to add anything to the Gospel, we are trying to pay for our own way. Jesus plus anything says that what Jesus did was not enough and we have to make up the difference. What Jesus did was a gift and we just need to accept it.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for all you do. Thank you for the gift of your Son and the sacrifice He made on the cross. You are the way, the truth, and the life, the only way to the Father. I ask that you help me to walk with you, that I may be a part of your plan and a light to the world around me. Open my heart and my ears to hear your voice.