The verb translated in English as “acquire,” “obtain,” “buy,” or “possess” appears seven times in the New Testament. In every setting the inspired authors use it to highlight the moral and spiritual implications of acquisition—whether of property, privilege, spiritual gifts, personal mastery, or even one’s own life.

Material Purchase and Moral Consequence

1. Judas Iscariot’s ghastly end shows how ill-gotten gain culminates in judgment. “With the reward of his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open” (Acts 1:18). The field stands as a monument to betrayal; what Judas “acquired” became the scene of divine retribution.
2. Simon the magician tried to turn the Holy Spirit into a commodity. Peter rebuked him: “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” (Acts 8:20). The text condemns any attempt to commercialize spiritual realities and guards the church against a mercenary spirit.
3. The Roman commander in Jerusalem exclaimed, “I paid a large sum for that citizenship” (Acts 22:28). Paul’s reply, “But I was born a citizen,” contrasts an expensive earthly privilege with a sovereign bestowal. Both point beyond themselves to the believer’s heavenly citizenship, which cannot be purchased with silver or gold.

Prohibition of Mercenary Ministry

When Jesus sends out the Twelve He commands, “Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts” (Matthew 10:9). The Lord removes financial calculation from missionary service, freeing His messengers from the snare of acquisitiveness while teaching them to depend upon God’s provision.

Self-Mastery in Sanctification

Paul exhorts, “Each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4:4). The underlying verb pictures the believer “acquiring” or “possessing” his own vessel. The body is viewed as a sphere to be brought under holy ownership—neither neglected nor indulged, but governed by the will renewed by the Spirit.

Endurance as the Believer’s Lasting Possession

In the Olivet discourse Jesus promises, “By your patient endurance you will gain your souls” (Luke 21:19). Here the verb lifts the reader’s eyes from temporal assets to the ultimate acquisition: life itself preserved through persevering faith amid persecution.

Religious Pride Exposed

The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable boasts, “I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire” (Luke 18:12). His self-righteous ledger reveals a heart that trusts in personal acquisitions—religious practices and material increase—rather than in God’s mercy.

Theological Threads

• Ownership implies accountability. Whether land, money, citizenship, or physical body, every acquisition is held in trust before God.
• Spiritual gifts and salvation are bestowed, not purchased. Any attempt to secure them by human means incurs sharp apostolic censure.
• Earthly possessions can assist ministry when rightly used (Luke 8:3), yet Scripture repeatedly warns against the love of gain (1 Timothy 6:10).
• True and lasting possession is found in the soul kept by Christ. All other acquisitions are temporary and subject to loss.

Ministry Application

1. Guard against commodifying the gospel or spiritual gifts.
2. Teach believers to steward material resources without covetousness.
3. Encourage bodily discipline as part of sanctification.
4. Strengthen congregations to endure trials, reminding them that steadfastness secures what truly matters.