Salvation Can't Be Bought
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 you money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!"
-- Acts 8:18-20
I woman I know recently suffered a broken relationship with her cousin. It was over money. Of course. It always is. The woman expected her cousin to give her something her aunt -- her cousin's mother -- had wanted given to her. The cousin resisted, lied, then finally handed it over.
The relationship remains broken. The woman can't believe her cousin -- someone she thought of as a sister -- would keep something of financial value from her. She doesn't need the money. I understand her point. What she wanted was expensive jewelry she had given to her aunt. Her aunt wanted her to have it back. But was it worth the relationship? For either of them?
Well, the rest of the story: This woman uses her money to "buy" people. She helped her aunt and cousin financially. She paid for a new air conditioning unit. She bought them expensive clothes. She even helped her cousin buy a used car. In return, her cousin was expected to drop what she was doing and run errands for her. The cousin cooked and shopped and carried her to doctor's appointments. She was an unpaid servant.
It was all informal of course. The woman believes it was her "right" to expect such servitude for the money she gave away. She just doesn't get it. None of her gifts came from her heart. They weren't given freely, without obligation. There were strings attached, invisible though they were.
The cousin seems relieved at the broken relationship. There is a freedom in knowing that you aren't obligated to someone who believes they "own" you.
Now let's look at the church. Our church has four services. One traditional service has very low attendance and there has been some talk about discontinuing it. Not going to happen, church leaders say. Why? Because some of those who attend that service contribute a great deal financially and no one wants to offend them. Really?! Should that even be a factor? No.
The sad fact is that even in churches those who are financially able to give more are accorded greater respect and say in church matters. Money should never enter into the equation. Remember that Jesus pointed out the woman who gave all she had and contrasted her to those who gave from their abundance. What is of more value? That which comes from the heart, involves sacrifice and trust in our Lord.
Maybe it's easier for me to see. Years ago, money mattered to me. Then I lost someone I loved, suddenly and without time to prepare. My views on what is important changed for the better. Money doesn't define a person. Character does.
Faith isn't something that is for sale. You can't buy your way into heaven. Salvation isn't dependent on your bank account. Or your works. Or you looks. It's dependent on faith in Jesus. And that comes from the heart.
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