“One 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.”
“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
I can’t help but wonder what was going through the lame beggar’s mind as he asks them for money and Peter looks straight at him and says, “Look at us.”
Peter’s words express the seriousness of what he was about to say. Peter didn’t have money. He didn’t have silver or gold to give the lame man. But he had something better. He offered healing in the name of Jesus Christ. And in Jesus’ name, Peter healed the beggar and the beggar leapt for joy and praised God.
What Peter gave wasn’t anything monetary, yet it was better. How often do we pass or miss opportunities to give to others because we are conditioned to think that giving can only be monetarily? Though money is great to give, it’s not the greatest thing we have to give to others in need.
If the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we have the opportunities to give the gift of Jesus—in every situation.
Blessings
VC Devotionals 