Money Cannot Do Everything

Isaiah 43:1-7
Acts 8:14-25

There are just some things in this world that money cannot buy. You cannot buy someone’s heart. You cannot buy forgiveness. The Beatles first told us that you can’t buy love. The Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy, 6. 10). W.C Fields is known for saying, “A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money.” And Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money”. Money cannot do everything.

Today's lesson from Acts offers great insight about the power of the gospel and the occasional uselessness of money in the light of the good news.

Amazing things are happening in Samaria. Philip is preaching the Gospel in that place while at the same time a magician named Simon is wowing and mesmerizing the crowds. He promoted himself as the greatest of all. As he amazed them with his magic, they listened to him intently. Magicians were widely viewed as people who plied their trade for money. They were not always the most honest of people. But when they believed in what Philip was preaching they were baptized, including Simon himself. He never left Philip's side after that for he, too, was amazed at the great signs and miracles that took place.

Word spreads to the church in Jerusalem about the miraculous events in Samaria and they sent Peter and John to check it out. While they are there Peter and John lay hands on the new believers praying they be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Simon is amazed by what Peter and John do. So much so he offers to pay for the ability to control the Spirit as Peter and John have done. There is a reoccurring theme in Luke’s writings of a concern over money as threatening faith.

Peter and John are insulted by such a request. Peter doesn't mince words as he responds to Simon's request with righteous indignation. Peter is mad because Simon thinks he can buy God's gift of the Spirit. Peter leaves no doubt as to the hideous nature of Simon's proposal.

"While almost all of us would decry someone giving gifts to their congregation in exchange for influence, some modern day church people may 'vote with their checkbooks'." No one can influence the grace or Spirit of God with human purchasing power. A gift is a gift, nothing more. We give to God through the church not to get, but as a faithful response to what God has already given us free and clear. God pours out his grace upon all who desire to receive it.

Our money is not a weapon as a means of gaining influence or establish what we want. To use our money in this way does not demonstrate faith, but rather it smacks of intimidation and coercion. We don't give our gifts to leverage others or impose our will.

In the 1990 movie “Pretty Woman”, Edward Lewis (Gere), a successful businessman and “corporate raider” who is all business, all the time. He knows how to use money as a weapon to get what he wants. One of Edward’s business deals involves the buying of a shipbuilding company in California. At a business dinner with the owners of the company, Mr. Lewis makes it clear his intention to dismantle Morse's corporation, close down the shipyard which Morse spent 40 years building, and sell the land for real estate. Mr. Morse and his grandson are insulted by this news and excuse themselves from the table.

While all this is happening, Edward begins an unusual relationship with Vivian (Roberts), a prostitute who agrees to be his escort to various functions during his stay in Beverly Hills. On the outside at first glance Vivian dresses like a prostitute. But we learn that this isn’t the real Vivian on the inside. She is smart, funny, educated, and beautiful on the inside. Once she gets a proper wardrobe of clothes, she has a profound influence on Edward. She gets him to look at himself and his life in a different way. Edward’s outlook on life and his work begins to change.

When Edward meets with Mr. Morse again to close the deal, Edward changes his mind. His time with Vivian has shown him another way of living and working, taking time off and enjoying activities for which he initially had little time. He has a change of heart, a reversal of fortune, a desire to do better and be a better man. As a result, his strong interest in buying Mr. Morse’s business is put aside. He decides that he would rather help Mr. Morse than take over his company. They are going to work together.

When I graduated from Princeton Seminary back in 1999, the seminary was preparing to completely renovate and reconfigure the inside of Miller Chapel. Donations and gifts poured in from alumni, friends of the seminary, trustees and staff. Most of the donations were with no strings attached. However, there was one giver whose gift, one of the larger ones, came with one big, long string. This monetary gift was to go toward building a huge, Baroque-style organ pipe screen placed in the center of the chancel, but behind the pulpit. I must add that the overall architecture of the chapel was very colonial: simple, plain white walls and pews with hardwood floors. This Baroque style organ pipe screen did not match the surrounding aesthetics. What really made me upset was that the donor would withdraw his gift if the seminary didn’t do exactly what he wanted done. It turns out it was a major point of contention during the planning process. Without this one large donation, there wouldn’t be enough funds to finish the project. One person held the project hostage with his wallet.

Simon's sin was to offer physical money for a spiritual gift. He wants to use it for personal financial gain and for the economic exploitation of others. We don't give our gifts to leverage others or impose our will. We give because the Spirit prompts us: we do not give to prompt the Spirit.

The Spirit of God is not for sale. It is not a commodity to be made the personal possession of any individual or group, whether the price is large donations or immense religious and social activity. Every effort to domesticate the Holy Spirit and harness the divine power ends in frustration, because the Spirit above all else symbolizes the freedom of God.

And that, my friends, is good news you can take to the bank!