God never intended that his grace be sold nor used for profits. All gifts we have and the goodness of life we enjoy are by God’s grace. God expects us to freely share for Jesus said in Matthew 10: 8, freely you have received, freely give. His grace is to build his church and for his people. The grace we have received are not for business or profits or for sale as usual.
God’s grace is not subject to our rights but exclusive. Paul said in 1Corinthians 9: 18, What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. Paul did not assert any right for a reward but to impact others for free knowing God would reward him later.
When Simon the Sorcerer offered to buy the Holy Spirit, Peter answered in Acts 8: 20, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! In our days, some feel entitled exploiting the grace for personal reward. We charge and take money etc. for consultation, prayers, and many more as if God’s grace is for business or for sale. 1Peter 4: 10 says, each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Misconstruing scripture
Ephesians 4: 7 says, but to each one of us grace has been given as Christ appointed it. Therefore, don’t be deceived that only certain people have God’s grace. Everyone has a measure of grace in Christ Jesus as God deems fit. Based on misconception, Simon the Sorcerer offered to buy the Holy Spirit but Peter answered in Acts 8: 20, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! Grace and spiritual gifts are not for sale but freely given.
Some feel entitled exploiting the grace for personal reward. Our pleasure now is skewed towards wealth and profit. When Jesus sent out his disciples, he cautioned them thus in Luke 10: 7, stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move about from house to house. This was a caution not to exploit God’s gift given to them because he would be their provider.
Many misconstrue God’s grace for money making rituals. They rely on 1Timothy 5: 18 that, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Unfortunately, this does not carte blanche to commercialize the gift of God by grace as an economic instrument. Isaiah 55: 1 says, “Come all you who are thirsty come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Don’t be a slave to money.
Penalties for abusing God’s grace
Jesus asked in Matthew 16: 26; Mark 8: 36; Luke 9: 25, what good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Eternal death awaits those who abuse God’s grace or gifts. Job 36: 7 says, he (God) does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. Psalm 6: 1 says, the Lord watches over the way of the righteous. Will we watch over ourselves or allow God to do so without exploiting his grace?
We are cautioned of misinterpreting scripture for our personal insatiable greed. Proverbs 14: 12; 16: 25 say, there is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. What motivates us to sell God’s grace? Paul trusted God to provide for his needs, hence, said in Philippians 4: 19, my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Jesus was not minded to be poor for us to give us all we need. 2Corinthians 8: 9 says, for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
How can we avoid misusing God’s grace?
We have to obey God’s command whilst trusting him for our needs. Psalm 34: 15 says, the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry. We misuse grace because we don’t believe God is capable and that is sin. Psalm 37: 17 says, the Lord upholds the righteous. Verse 25 says, I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. If we believe, why should we sell God’s gifts to those for whom they are meant?
Paul said in Philippians 4: 6, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Greed makes us anxious and to acquire extravagant lifestyles which sometimes struggle to maintain. Jeremiah 32: 27 says, see, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me? Paul also asked in 1Corinthians 4: 7, for who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? May wisdom lead us to appropriate God’s gifts.
Jesus said to Peter in John 21: 15-17, “Do you love me?” “Feed my Lambs.” “Take care of my sheep.” This commission did not include making money from his position but to feed and take care of God’s sheep, poor or rich. If we love Jesus, we will feed and care for his sheep free of charge, then he will bless us for our faith and obedience to his commission and for sharing his grace for free. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your actions so you don’t abuse the grace and gifts you have.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to trust you to direct our paths at all times to apply your gifts in accordance with your will for free as we received them. We repent of our wayward lives and misconceptions of your purpose of the grace we have. Help us to use them for the benefit of your church and all mankind. We humbly pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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