“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” — Acts 8:20
“Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you… Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” — James 5:3
There is a danger when a man begins to value money over God. In Acts 8, Simon thought he could buy the power of God. Peter rebuked him sharply — because the things of God are not for sale. James reminds us that riches, no matter how valuable they seem, will corrupt, rust, and testify against us if they replace our devotion to the Lord.
Money is a tool — but a terrible master. When wealth takes the place of God, it doesn’t bless — it condemns.
Illustration #1 — Achan (Joshua 7)
Achan saw the wedge of gold and Babylonish garment and took what God had forbidden. What he gained secretly brought public judgment. What he treasured cost him everything. The gold he hid did not help him — it destroyed him.
Illustration #2 — Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14–16; 27:3–5)
Judas sold the Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He chose money over the Master. The silver he gained became a burden he could not bear. He threw it down and went out — because money could not cleanse a guilty soul.
You cannot buy the power, blessing, or favor of God. Riches without righteousness will rot and ruin. What you treasure reveals where your heart truly is.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” — Matthew 6:21
Money that is hoarded will perish. Money that is honored above God will corrupt. But a heart that treasures Christ will never be disappointed. Lay up treasure in heaven — not rust on earth.