Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” - Acts 8:18-19
Simon (known as "The Magician") was very popular among the people of Samaria before Philip came to town; however, things changed after this event. First, Simon became a Christ-follower and second, his popularity waned. Later on, when the apostles came and the Holy Spirit affirmed all that Christ had done (through the laying on of hands), Simon longed to be a part of it all. Of course, he expressed his desire by wrongly offering to purchase an apostolic gift, but perhaps his passion to be able to pass on such a gift was not, in itself, wrong. It is easy to see that Simon's zeal, rightly rebuked, might have just been misplaced.
God's anointing for service is His decision and we must be careful not to seek shortcuts to circumvent His sovereign activity. We might long for the gifts (and popularity) of others, but we must also accept the role that God has given us, where He has given it, when He has given it. There are no shortcuts to greater service that can be purchased by degree, position, or fame. We must simply put our heads down and serve.
In the Kingdom of God, service is not a stepping-stone to nobility: it is nobility, the only kind of nobility that is recognized. - T. W. Manson
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