Although giving generally has good connotations, an experience last year reminded me that it’s possible to give selfishly. There’s a big difference between giving what you want versus what the other person needs. She needed friendship and quality time, but I convinced myself that money and occasional phone calls would suffice as they were other legitimate needs. It was far easier to meet the needs that I was comfortable with rather than her deepest need.
“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6)
In Context
It’s an ordinary day for Peter and John as they head to the temple to pray. Verse one specifies that it’s the ninth hour, so this would have been around 3pm – the third of three prayers that the Jews offered on a daily basis. The lame man that they meet just as they’re about to enter the temple is a regular at the gates and instinctively asks Peter and John for alms i.e. clothing, food, or money (v2-3). However, this man gets more than he bargained for when they bless him with healing instead (v6).
Perseverance is rewarding.
The man they healed was fortunate enough to have friends/relatives that brought him to the temple consistently. It can’t have been easy accepting that he’d have to beg for his whole life. Nevertheless, he let go of any pride he may have had about relying on others and chose to ask everyone. Based on a careful reading of verses 3-5, it’s safe to assume that he asked indiscriminately; in fact, Peter and John didn’t have time to answer his question before he’d moved on to the next person, they literally had to demand his attention (v5).
Reviewing & Utilising What You Have
The lame man has been put to the trouble of giving his attention to two men he assumed had nothing to offer him. The expectation that verse five alludes to is unlikely to have been healing. Why? Because clearly he would have singled Peter and John out from the beginning and asked them to be healed instead of begging for alms like he did with everyone else. Had they simply entered the temple, he would have been none the wiser about what he’d just missed out on. Peter starts verse six with seemingly disappointing news, but his short sentence has the happiest of endings. Peter’s response to the lame man teaches us three key lessons:
Do more than is required
Peter didn’t have what the man was asking for, and the man’s attention had drifted anyway. Therefore, it would have been easy for Peter to conclude the situation there. However, his willingness to do more than is required is admirable. Likewise, it’s important that you strive for the same energy!
Recognise what you have
The lame man was oblivious to the fact Peter had been blessed with the ability to heal. “But what I do have, I give you” is a simple but powerful point. Whilst it’s impossible to give what you don’t have, many people fail to give what they do have for a variety of reasons. For example, not acknowledging a particular gift or resource, or being afraid to use it. In either case, there is someone somewhere that is being negatively impacted by the fact you don’t recognise the gifts and resources that you have.
Have faith in God
The miracle that Peter performs is done through Christ. He has no desire to ascribe the praise to himself and also discourages others from doing so (v11-16). Peter demonstrates that a core component of utilising your gifts and resources is to remember the divine element. Often times we can be timid about using them and may even question whether God can help us. Furthermore, when things go well, it’s easy to look to self as the author of that success. Refuse to be either shy or boastful.
Applied
First and foremost you need to review your gifts and resources – big or small. Only then will you be able to give someone what they truly need, not just what you think they need, or what you want to give them.
- Assess the situation – even if Peter had alms to give, I still think he would have healed. If you’re blessed to be able to give in multiple ways then that’s great, but always think of the most useful for that situation.
- Be willing to be inconvenienced – there are some gifts/resources that you may like using more than others. Prioritise the needs of the other person even if that means giving something you don’t particularly like.
- Don’t hoard – you’ve been given what you have for the sake of others not yourself. Pray for opportunities give and when they arrive, give freely and cheerfully. You don’t need me to remind you that quite often you lose what you don’t use.
So…
The talents and the resources that God has given you were given for a reason. Take every opportunity that you have to use them for His glory.
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