You Can't Buy This
Peter said, “To hell with your money! And you along with it. Why, that’s unthinkable, trying to buy God’s gift! You’ll never be part of what God is doing by striking bargains and offering bribes. Change your ways and now!” Acts 8:20–21 (MSG)
In Acts 8, Simon had just witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit. People were being healed. Lives were being changed. The Spirit of God was moving through the apostles, and it was undeniable. So undeniable, in fact, that Simon reached for his wallet. He tried to buy it.
Simon didn’t want the relationship. He wanted the results. He saw the power but missed the point. Peter's response wasn’t soft. It wasn’t polished. But it was necessary: You can’t buy this.
And even though most of us wouldn’t offer cash for the Holy Spirit today, I think we still do what Simon did. Just in subtler ways.
We make bargains with God. We treat Him like a vending machine; put something in, expect something out.
“If I serve more, You’ll give me peace”
“If I give, You’ll open that door”
“If I read my Bible for seven days in a row, You’ll fix my family”
We may not say it out loud, but sometimes we’re not praying. We’re negotiating. We may not be waving money, but sometimes we’re waving performance, hoping it’ll be enough to get the result we want.
I remember a moment when this hit me personally. I was praying about an opportunity I really wanted, and it felt like doors kept closing. I had been showing up, giving, serving, doing all the “right” things. And I found myself praying, “God, after all I’ve done, why not this?” And right there in that moment, I felt the Lord speak to my heart, not in anger, but with clarity. He said, “Joey, I’m not a business partner. I’m your Father.”
That shifted everything. I realized I was trying to buy what God gives freely. Not with money, but with effort. With doing. With hoping that my checklist would earn me His best.
But it doesn’t work that way.
Peter’s words are sharp, but they’re an invitation. “You’ll never be part of what God is doing by striking bargains and offering bribes. Change your ways and now.” God’s power isn’t for sale. His gifts aren’t earned. They’re given to hearts that are surrendered, not strategic.
So what do we do instead?
We stop performing and start surrendering.
God is not impressed by our efforts. He is drawn to our honesty and dependence.We stop striving and start abiding.
Peace and power do not come from trying harder but from staying close to Him.We stop asking “What can I get?” and start asking “How can I honor You?”
When our goal shifts from gain to giving God glory, everything changes.We stop treating God like a transaction and start trusting Him like a Father.
He is not waiting for a deal. He is inviting us into a relationship.
So today, let us respond to that invitation with honesty, not bargaining. With surrender, not strategy:
God, forgive me for the times I have tried to earn what You give freely. Help me come to You not for power, blessings, or breakthroughs but simply for You. I surrender the parts of me that want to control the outcome or impress others. Make my heart right before You. Not because I want something from You but because I want You. Amen.
Make it personal
Have I been trying to earn something from God instead of simply trusting Him?
Is there an area of my life where I’ve been making bargains instead of surrendering?
Do I view God more like a Father or more like a boss?
What is one way I can return to relationship over results this week?
