SPIRITUAL POWER IS FREE
GENESIS 44:18-21, 23-29, 45:1-5; PSALM 105; MATTHEW 10:7-15
In the Gospel Jesus instructed the twelve saying “You received without charge: give without charge”. The same applies to us today. We must understand that the spiritual office we occupy is a product of grace not hard work. Therefore, we must dispense this grace without charges.
Sadly enough many men of God charge for spiritual gifts today. Consultation fee has become the norm in many churches. Beloved, wherever charges surfaces before grace or after grace is not a church but a business centre. True disciples give without charge. Like Joseph in the first reading, we must realize that ‘where we are’ and ‘what we are’ is by the grace of God. Therefore, there is no need to lay burdens on our brothers and sisters.
In Acts 8: 18-20 “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!
SIMONY means buying or selling of something spiritual or closely connected with the spiritual. Its like saying “SEE MONEY”; some of us once we see money we don’t think well. There are some doors that money cannot open; money is not everything. Peter said to him let your money perish with you. Power is generously given. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). How much did they pay for it? “You yourselves know . . . how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). It was not sold to him. In Luke 6:19 that “all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.” Spiritual Power is free, don’t pay for it.
LET US PRAY
Holy Father, you have called us to do a duty for your people. We know that you are always with us, even when we may sometimes stand alone physically, Father, have your divine way among us church leaders so that we can faithfully lead your flock to the victory that you have promised us through Christ our Lord. Amen
GENESIS 44:18-21, 23-29, 45:1-5; PSALM 105; MATTHEW 10:7-15
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
