Remember, our gods of our age are power, position, authority, and influence. Many individuals have obtained all of the above by virtue of their financial assets. The more you can contribute to the campaigns, slush funds, or build wings for prestigious hospitals, the more influence you will exert within an organization, political party, or society at large. The world says that every man has a price, meaning for the right amount of money, you will be willing to lie, cheat, basically compromise your personal integrity for a position, power, and influence.

Those without the financial resources have a very limited chance of having their points of view, or even their wisdom, considered.

Ecclesiastes 9:16b (NKJV)
“Yet the poor man’s wisdom is despised,
And his words are not heard.”

We should all be grateful that this is not how things operate in God’s economy. For if salvation came with a monetary value attached, many would be unable to claim Him as Savior.

Fortunately for us, salvation is a gift that was purchased not with corruptible things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus, as a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 Peter 1:18–19 (NKJV)
“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

After our redemption, He then offered us that even greater gift: the promise of the Holy Spirit that will reside within each and every individual that has repented and claimed Him as their Lord and Savior. Thus, having a personal relationship with Christ, with the Holy Spirit, we have power—the gift that cannot be purchased, nor is it for sale.

The Holy Spirit fulfills the promise Jesus made to the disciples. He said He would pray to the Father, and He would give another Helper, that He may abide with us forever, the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But we know Him, for He dwells with us and will be with us.

John 14:16–17 (NKJV)
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But we know Him, for He dwells with us and will be with us.”

John 16:26 (NKJV)
“In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;”

Before His ascension, Jesus promised that the disciples they would receive power, enabling them to be witnesses unto Him, beginning in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The power came on that day of Pentecost, and 120 gathered there and received that power. We read in Acts that Peter, who had denied Jesus before the crucifixion, preached under the power of the Holy Spirit and 3,000 souls were saved that day. He preached again, and more were added. The power of the gift is not for sale.”

Acts 8:9–25 (NKJV)
“But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.’ Then Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.’ So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”

Philip the Evangelist, who possessed real power, preached Christ, healed the sick, released individuals from the dominance of demonic forces, and as a result, many in Samaria believed. Simon, the musician, who had been thought to have great power, also believed, was baptized, and followed Philip. He was amazed by the signs and wonders. He then watched as many received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands by Peter and John. And he thought, like everything else in society, this power could be purchased. But the gift is not for sale. That was then—what about now?

When someone gives you a gift, you may try and determine its monetary value, using it to gauge your importance in their lives. But the gift of the Holy Spirit is so, so different. He’s a treasure that resides in earthen vessels of clay, entrusted to us by God Himself.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV)
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

This power, as I said before, resides within each believer and works within the believers in the following manners: He is our helper, advocate, comforter, Paraclete. One who is called to stand constantly by our side, ever ready to stand by us and take part in everything when His help is needed. He reminds us of God’s love for us.

Romans 5:5 (NKJV)
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

He enables us to live a holy life.

Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

He is the everlasting spring of living water.

John 4:14 (NKJV)
“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

He is our intercessor.

Romans 8:26–27 (NKJV)
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit also serves as our teacher. He brings back to our remembrance the word of God, which helps us in times of disappointment, or distress, or not knowing what to say to someone.

John 14:26 (NKJV)
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

He brings forth the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance.

Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

He enables us to distinguish truth from error.

1 John 4:1–3 (NKJV)
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

Finally, He gives us peace.

John 14:27 (NKJV)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

My conclusion: The Holy Spirit has so much to offer a disciple of Christ. But to receive the full benefits of a personal relationship, it must be cultivated and maintained through an active and personal prayer life, and a humble and obedient heart.

We must always remember that what we have received and been entrusted with is a precious gift. The Holy Spirit and the power are given to us. Thus, He cannot be purchased, nor is He for sale. Let us appreciate and treasure the Holy Spirit.

Father, I thank You for the opportunity, Lord, even to deliver this word, Lord, even unto Your people, even with the mishap. Lord, we thank You, and we pray, Lord, and we know that Your word says that the word of God will not return void, but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. And we thank You for all, Lord, that will continue to be transpired.

Lord, during this prayer service this morning, we bring our various focuses to You, that the needs of the people of God will be met. In Jesus’ name, Amen.