What is also interesting is the disciples were fishing, as I'm sure they loved to fish like I do. But fishing was not only a way to feed themselves, but was also a way of making money. Now notice the first time Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him after they had sat down to eat fish. Notice Jesus asked Peter "do you love me more than these."
[SUP]15 [/SUP]So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs."
People should be asking themselves this same question when it comes to loving money and other worldly things more than doing the Lords will in their life.
Yeah, and you could probably see that even more in the example of Simon the sorceror with him also.
Which would have been a great place for Satan (who Jesus said desired to sift him as wheat) to do so even in that there (in order to bring blame on the ministry) had Simon failed. It would definately seem like a good opportunity to test him right there even. Which was also a revealer of hearts (even between the two) in that encounter. Simon the sorcerors heart (as Simon pointed out) in the bond of iniquity and his own (for us to see in that example) his reaction to what presented itself to him there, it was a despicable thing to him. Showing Simon despised money (and loved God) cleaving to the one and hating the other even as Jesus taught.
The gift of God is without money or price
As Jesus said unto the woman at the well,
If thou knewest the gift of God, and
who it is that saith to thee,
Give me to drink;
thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Without money or price
Ho, every one that thirsteth,
come ye to the waters,
and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
But here,
But when Simon saw t
hat through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money,
But Peter said unto him,
Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness,
and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and
in the bond of iniquity.
It would seem to show (in Simon Peter) an established apostle whose ministry cannot be blamed in any slanderous way to
a love of money (which is the root of all evil) to be in him and His love for God
As Jesus had taught
No servant can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
So he was not covetous. Satan would probably seek to sift a minister in that way through others who would be so used, where such a compromise could have an opportunity to arise (if a love of money was in him)
But Simon wasn't budging, he loved God more, so good on him.
Even as Paul said, I have coveted no mans, silver or gold or apparel Acts 20:3
God bless you