Bitter Bargains

“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:18-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.8.18-19.nkjv
The desire for the gifts of the Spirit is consistent with the promise of the Father and one of the vital requirements for the fulfillment of the great commission. However, Simon's desire for the Holy Spirit represents an out-of-place expression of bitterness and a wicked desire for displacement of fellow worker, rather than a devotion for fellow service. Apparently, he had earlier responded to a call for salvation during the ministration of Phillip through a forceful recognition of superiority. But given the possibility of a bargain for Holy Spirit, he probably aim to recover the desired superiority over Phillip, whereby regaining the spiritual control of Samaria. Whereas, the gifts of the Spirit are not given to believers for personal profit, but for kingdom profit. Likewise, the motives for all investments in spirituality can subtly come as a mere out-of-place wicked desire and a subtle superiority contest among kingdom workers. When devotion is offered for recognition and reward, the returns may never be far from bitter bargains.

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