Pat's Ponderings

I was reading in Acts this morning and came across the story about Simon the magician. Simon's audacious request first seemed obnoxious and barely applicable. The second time, however, it got me thinking. Check it out again:

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

-Acts 8:18-24 (ESV)

How often do we approach the Lord offering up our money (or time, abilities, passions, etc.) hoping to receive His blessings and gifts in return? The problem with Simon was not his desire for the gift but his "heart [was] not right before God." His motivation was blatantly impure. He wanted the gift for his own benefit: fame, popularity, and personal glory. This brought me to examine my own motivation and desires and recognize the tendency to desire blessing either for the enjoyment of the blessing itself or for my own personal advancement. Rather, knowing Jesus more and magnifying His Name more should be the central motivation.

Let us view the Lord's blessings properly, using them for His purposes and the glory of His Name!

Jesus, rectify the selfish desires of my heart! Cut off that in me which desires to exalt myself.

This post categorized under Personal Thoughts.