Acts 3:1-10
1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. [1]
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What strikes me today’s passage is Peter’s statement in verse 6. He doesn’t have any silver or gold to give the man, but he has something better. In this case, it is healing in the name of Jesus.
It’s easy to fall into the rut of thinking that money solves problems. If only I had more silver and gold, things would be better. In the same way, it’s easy to think that the best way to help those in need is through the giving of silver and gold. What this passage leads me to think about this morning is that I have things to give those around me, in the name of Jesus, that go way beyond silver and gold.
No, I’m not talking necessarily talking about dramatic healings like the one Peter did. This was a gift of God through him, and as Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 12, not everyone is given all gifts. But what gifts have I been given? What experiences, talents, knowledge, ability, etc? Do I see these gifts that I have as resources that God intends me to use to bless others?
I don’t know what is coming up this day or the next several days, but I know that I will be around people who are in need. Their need may be obvious or hidden. Most likely won’t be as dramatic and obvious as the beggar at the gate. And although I may not say to them directly, “Silver and gold have I do not have, but what I do have I give you,” that is what God is calling me to do. Maybe it’s my time, my encouragement, some knowledge I have, some compassion I can share. The important thing is to go into my day seeing myself sent by God and with opportunities in front of me, just as much as the opportunity that was in front of Peter and John.
So my prayer today is that I have my eyes open to see the opportunities to be a blessing in the lives of those in need. I pray the Spirit move me to give “what I have” to be a blessing in their lives.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. 2011 (Ac 3:1–10). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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