Acts 8:

• Within this chapter, we meet a man named Simon who believed the message and was baptized. Watching the apostles perform miracles he greatly desired the ability to minister in the same way. So much so that he offered money to attain this ability. He was rebuked by Peter, being told that his destiny was to perish with his wealth (God did not “need” it!). His only alternative was to “repent” AND “pray” AND hope that God would choose to forgive him.
• We cannot manipulate when and how God uses us! Let us be humble in our status, content with our blessings and faithful to our call, not lusting after the uses God has for other believers!