| Antony Farrer got a taste of the good life and couldn’t let it go. Farrer is currently being held without bail for his role in a fraudulent luxury watch scheme where customers have reportedly lost more than 5 million dollars. Prior to his arrest Farrer stated in a YouTube video: “I got a little taste of success and never wanted to forget that feeling.” In Acts 8:9-13,18-23, a man named Simon the Sorcerer incorrectly assumes that the Spirit of the Lord can be purchased and distributed to others: Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 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! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” The life that God provides cannot purchased through earthly means. |
Prayer |
| Lord Jesus, forgive me for thinking I could earn or purchase what is freely given. It is only through You that I can receive the Holy Spirit and live a life that is good and pleasing in God’s sight. Give me the discernment to go after that which I am rightfully called and help me not to pursue anything that will lead to idolatry. |
Action |
| Have you ever pursued something (money, job, relationship) and felt empty after you finally received it? This week ask that God align your heart with His so that your pursuits are life giving and fulfilling instead of empty and idolatrous. |
DID YOU KNOW? – BREAK BREAD TRIVIA |
| Anthony Farrer is currently facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges. |
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is the founder of Break Bread, Break Chains and is the co-host of the following podcasts: Defund The Church, Relative Currency, Politically Entertaining, and Christ over Crypto. He is also the founder and creator of the op-ed site Fake News Syndicate.