God's Holy Fire: 'No Part in This Ministry'

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

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."
— Acts 8:18-21 NIV

Key Thought

Simon's callous disregard for the sacredness of the Holy Spirit's work is sickening. He treats this incredible blessing of God as a commodity to be purchased and manipulated. His sin is obvious to most of us. Still, how many times have we tried to manipulate the work and influence of the Holy Spirit? Without humility and only for our own gain, we sometimes nonchalantly talk about the Holy Spirit as if the Spirit were our errand gopher, our servant to do our bidding, our tool, instead of remembering that the Holy Spirit is God's presence and power graciously given to us. Let's look at the gift of the Spirit's presence within us and the Spirit's influence upon us with a deep sense of reverent thanks!

Today's Prayer

O Father, God Almighty, please forgive me for devaluing the Holy Spirit - the gift of your presence within my life. I am sorry for this irreverent approach to your awesome grace. In Jesus' name, I ask for this forgiveness and pray that I will always have the proper respect and appreciation for the Spirit. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Gift that Cannot Be Bought
Devo: Unstoppable!
"When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. "Let me have this..."
The Spirit Cannot Be Bought
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Disciple, One of the great gifts you received with your salvation was the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). I pour out the Spirit on all who...."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 8:18-21 NIV — "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, May 26, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Challenge to Practicality' (Jn. 1:43)
"The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me.""
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'In the Last Days' (Acts 2:17)
"[Quoting the prophet Joel, Peter said to the crowd on Pentecost,] 'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'No One is Holy Like the Lord!'
"Then Hannah prayed: "My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'My Counterintuitive Kingdom'
"Dear Beloved, Many mortals chase after so many things thinking that a fulfilling life will be found in those things... those pursuits... those..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations