There have always been people who come to Christ for the wrong reasons. And this isn’t just true of the social-climbers who come to worship to make connections with prominent people, or the teens who attend youth group to get a date. Don’t we all want more understanding of the Bible when we hear a sermon, or more peace and comfort when we pray? And don’t we all want Jesus to save us from our sins?

Of course we do, and Simon was no different. When he saw the signs and miracles the apostles performed, he was amazed (8:13). He even believed in Jesus and was baptized (8:13). But when he saw how the Holy Spirit was poured out believers when the apostles laid their hands on them (8:17-18), he didn’t just want that gift for himself. No, he wanted the apostles’ authority to be able to give the Holy Spirit to other people. And he thought that he could bribe the apostles with money to gain such an ability (8:18-19).

Why would Simon think this way? Remember, before the apostles came to Samaria to preach Christ, everyone had looked up to Simon because of his magic tricks (8:9-11). So it was only natural for him to want Jesus to empower him to return to his previous status, to keep on impressing other people, to remain at the center of attention. And since he had most likely made quite a profit from his old deceptive ways, it made perfect sense to him to use money to try to buy spiritual blessings.

So, do we ever catch ourselves trying to take advantage of Jesus? Sure, we believe in Him, His saving power and His love. But instead of living for the good of others, do we want Him to give us peace and power and prosperity only so we can keep on living in our same old self-centered ways? Instead of living for the glory of God, do we ever try to buy Jesus off, devoting only part of our time, treasure and talents to Him, imagining that we can do whatever we want with the rest?

Peter told Simon that he needed to repent and pray that the Lord would forgive him of his selfish ways. Do we need to do the same thing?

Acts 8:9-24 (ESV)

9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.”
11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”