Simon Magnus and the problem of fraud

Before we get started, please read my previousa article, here; Doing more, and, hey, I wrote a book, you can learn more about that here; Elisabeth and the other man (paperback) and here, Elisabeth and the other man (ebook)
“But there was a certain man called Simon, which beforetime in the city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them of sorceries. But when they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, men and women.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Phillip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.
And when Simon saw that through the laying of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” (Acts 8:9-24)
So, a lot of y'all may know that I'm rather outspoken about MLMs (pyramid schemes that won't call themselves pyramid schemes), so, sorry to disappoint y'all with v. 24, but, it looks like Simon didn't learn his Simon Magnus, Impostors
But, why do I bring this up? It's not even MLMs (some of which deny they are ones, and we've moved to the Orwellian “direct sales” to refer to them, literally the opposite of what they are, MLMs and the march of the mannequins), it's not even so much Simon Magnus.
It's what Simon was doing.
““But there was a certain man called Simon, which beforetime in the city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them of sorceries”
Simon already knew how to get people to believe him, but, when he saw people with the power of God, instead of the power of deception (which he was using), what does he do?
Bribe Peter. “And when Simon saw that through the laying of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost”.
And Peter rightfully rebukes him,
“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be purchased with money.”
But, Simon, instead of arguing with him, does one thing that, in spite of what sources outside of the Bible tell us, was the right thing to do, and it's just too bad he didn't stick with it,
“Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.”
So, for this people that try to do these get rich quick schemes, whether it be via simony with the power of God, or try to pass themselves off as millionaires when you know they're struggling with money, the best thing we can do for them, is to pray for them.
I think Peter's annoyance was, look, we know this dude, we know he's not always on the up and up, and he seems to be not quite although serious about Christianity. He believes, but, we're not so sure about him. We can forgive his past, but, when he tries to buy the Power of God, it seems wrong.

And, I think some people do that.  They think all their problems can be solved with money.  They don't think about personal accountability, and they portray themselves as something they aren't.  Just as Simon tried to portray himself before this episode (and, probably after, if historical record is anything to go by) as, well, this "bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one".  And there are some people, who, while they may not be as bad off as Simon, are still deceiving people. 

There's a reason I used the King James Version for this one (and it's not just because there's not copyright, but that is part of it).

With all that said y'all, I want you to remember something; Truth matters

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community on Locals, and, if you'd like to help him out, go here; Help with medical bills