Covetousness — a capital sin…

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” (Acts 8:14–24)

Wanting what other people have is covetousness. God bestows gifts as He wills, and my part is to be content with the gift and obedient when given opportunities to use it, not to want what others have.

Simon was so taken with the spiritual abilities of the apostles that he wanted the same thing too, but he had the wrong idea in thinking he had to pay for it or do something to get it. A gift is a gift, not a purchase. In the case of spiritual gifts, they are part of what motivates Christians and draws us to various ministries:

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3–8)

These gifts are to be used in the power of the Holy Spirit. That means that no matter what this Simon character wanted or why, it had to be Spirit-motivated and Spirit-driven. And the Spirit was given by God, even though He used these apostles as part of the giving process. They needed to be Spirit-filled to do it, led by God even when to do it. To think that money had anything to do being filled with the Spirit was a grave misunderstanding that completely ignored all that Jesus and His disciples taught and were doing.

It still happens. AI gives a similar example to what Simon did: “In many local congregations, a wealthy individual attempts to use their financial leverage to dictate church policy, hiring decisions, or theological direction. This dynamic is often referred to by church consultants as "wealth-based governance" or the "major donor trap.” Simon was blind to the truth of how God works. 

Prideful greed can be very destructive, along with coveting what others have but I don’t have. If envy is in my heart, or I am not thankful for what I have, or if I gossip and am unkind toward those who have what I want, and I am upset with God for not giving it to me, I’m guilty and even measuring personal worth by what I don’t have rather than what Christ has done for me. 

Jesus, I am so thankful that You gave me a mother who set me a wonderful example of how to be contented. Even though I’ve had times of wanting what others have, You so always remind me that having You is enough.

 

Unity and diversity = the Body of Christ

God has a way of weaving together what I’m studying in seminary and what I’m reading in daily devotions. The topic this week includes a review of biblical metaphors used to describe the church. Today’s reading is about one of them.

The key verse for this devotional series describes the church as a household and a building with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. However, the New Testament also uses the image of a body with Christ the head and Christians as His Body. This one is my favorite metaphors, perhaps because it so clearly illustrates the unity and diversity of God’s people.

1 Corinthians 12:12–14, 24-27 say, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many . . . God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Comparing this to my own body, I easily understand how God wants us to care for each others. If my foot hurts, the rest of my body pays attention. If someone compliments even my haircut, the rest of my body feels good, even stands a little taller.

But this is not about me, but about those gathered in the name of Christ to make up the church. God tells us to not think too highly of ourselves, but “with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Then He reminds us that we are also different, particularly in the way we think and are motivated to serve Him. This is called our “spiritual gifts” which differ according to the grace given to us. We are told to use those differences to serve God and others. If our gift is this, then use it like this: “If prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:3–8)

In my study of spiritual gifts, God has helped me more deeply understand what makes people think and act in certain ways, and why individuals focus on different areas of Christian ministry and service. This is valuable in that I also better understand myself. Because of my spiritual gifts, I’m an insatiable information gatherer that also thinks in black and white terms.

Beyond the individual, the Body of Christ is under the leadership and direction of Jesus Christ. God “raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:16–23)

Jesus is the Head of the church “from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” (Colossians 2:16–19) As each part of the body relies on impulses and signals from our brain, each person in the Body of Christ is led by the Head of the Body. While we sometimes get our signals crossed, or we become stubborn about doing what we are told, this metaphor describes how the church can be unified (one Body under one Head) yet diverse, for we are not all hands, feet, ears or elbows. We have work to do, but in varying capacities and from varying motivations, yet all to obey and glorify our Savior.

Lord, as I obediently function according to Your direction, I know that my relationship with other Christians will express the wonderful diversity and yet unity of who You are. Thank you for making me part of Your Body and gifting me to serve You.