God's Love is Free

By Carla Castro
Acts 8

I have started a post, sat staring at a blank box for long moments, then closed the page without saving numerous times this week. This is why, as I am supposed to write my post on Tuesday or Wednesday, I am now making myself write Saturday night.

As I have read and reread this passage, I could not determine what to write about. One section kept striking me, however:

"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 your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.' "

I have never understood the value of money. The obsession that people have with money. The power that it gives. Until becoming an adult and having to pay bills, debts, and more. Even when first entering the workforce, I never stressed about money. I stumbled into a good paying job and spent five years there. I was able to carry my family financially when Jose got fired. We were able, after two years of being married, to buy a home, own our cars, take a vacation. And yet, we were irresponsible with money.

I hate money. I hate the necessity to earn money. I hate the distinction of doing work for money and doing work just because it needs done. I hate the materialistic society in which I am raising my kids, with the stigma attached to name brands and styles.

In Acts 8, Simon saw a powerful and amazing thing that the disciples were doing by sharing the Holy Spirit, and he, knowing he was wealthy, offered to purchase it. Peter called him out on it, denying to allow him to buy God.

Although my family is surviving, we are not sitting on a nest egg or a large bank account. And it is a comfort to know that, in this world, where money is the defining factor of so many things, I can walk into church on Sunday and not have to pay to recieve Him in my life. There is no fee to have God. There is no Biblical law stating that to worship, you have to earn an income of a certain percentage. There is nothing in His Word that defines who you are by how much you have. It's very reassuring in this economy, in today's world. So, tomorrow, in church, realize that God loves you no matter what's in your wallet. God loves you no matter where you live or what you drive. God loves you no matter what you wear. God loves you for your heart, rich or poor, and will bless you by the way you live you life, not by what you can pay.