The Book of Acts

To the Ends of the Earth 

Lead/Founding Pastor: Ryan Rice 

Thursday, May 14th, 2026

Sunday, May 17th, 2026 

The Passage 

The Right and Wrong Relationship Money 

Acts 8:9–25, ESV

Simon the Magician Believes

9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

The Wrong Relationship with Money and Power Results in…

1. The wrong belief of oneself. (vs.9-11)
2. The wrong view of salvation. (vs.12-13)
3. The wrong ideas about the spirit. (vs.14-19) 
4. The wrong response to sin. (vs. 22-24) 

The Right Relationship with Money and Power Looks like…

1. Reorder — Make Jesus your Master, not money

• Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and  money.”
• Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” And
• Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.”

2. Reframe — See yourself as a steward, not an owner

• Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”
• Psalm 50:10 says, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” 
• I Corinthians 4:2 says, “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

3. Release — Turn generosity into a way of life

• Giving: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7 

• Tithing: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” -Malachi 3:10   

• Sacrificial Giving: “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”  Mark 12:43–44

Talk It Over Questions

The Right and Wrong Relationship with Money and Power

Acts 8:9–25

Icebreaker: What’s something people spend ridiculous amounts of money on that you just don’t understand?

Read Acts 8:9–25 Together

1. What stands out to you most about Simon’s heart and attitude in this passage?
2. Peter tells Simon, “Your heart is not right before God.” Why is the heart the real issue behind greed, pride, and control?
3. Why do you think it’s possible for someone to be around church, ministry, and spiritual things while still not fully surrendered to Jesus?
4. Pastor Ryan said, “One of the clearest signs that Jesus truly has your heart is growing generosity.” Why do you think generosity is such a strong indicator of spiritual maturity?
5. Read Matthew 6:21 and Matthew 6:24. What do these verses teach us about the connection between money and the heart?
6. In practical ways, how can money become a “master” in someone’s life?
7. What is the difference between treating money as a tool versus treating it as a treasure?
8. Read Psalm 24:1. How does remembering that everything belongs to God change the way we handle our money and possessions?
9. Why do you think generosity helps break the grip of greed, fear, and control?
10. Which part of the sermon challenged you the most?
    • Reorder — Jesus is my Master
    • Reframe — God is the Owner
    • Release — Generosity is a way of life

  11.  What is one practical step you can take this week in your generosity journey?       Nothing → Something → Significantly → Sacrificially