Sharing What We Have

Crippled from birth and unable to fend for himself, Luke tells us that they (maybe his friends and family) brought the man to the Temple Gate every day to ask alms of them that entered the temple (Acts 3:2). There was something to the strategy, because who better to have compassion on a beggar than those who were going into the house of God. Undoubtedly, he had become a fixture there. Nobody may have known his name but for sure they knew his face, and if seen around town, would have been referred to as the fellow who "sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple" (v.10).

Amidst the people going to worship that day were Peter and John, and on seeing them, the man did what he knew best - he asked for money. For him it was a matter of survival; trying to get enough to make it through the day. But on this divinely appointed day, Peter, empty in the pockets but filled with the Holy Ghost, got the man's attention and said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." The narrative continued, "And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God" (vv. 4-8, KJV).

In a lot of ways, the lame man is like those who are outside of an intimate and personal relationship with Christ. Every day is one of existence instead of being one of purpose. The longing in the soul is to satisfy its immediate wants, totally ignorant to that which is its greater need. It is as Jesus said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). All the silver and gold he would collect that day would not have made the man whole. Only an encounter with the living Christ, through Peter and John, could change his situation and ultimately his life.

Who are you passing today who needs more than a temporary fix? There's no real satisfaction outside of knowing and experiencing Christ, and that is one truth every believer is empowered to carry and share. You may not have money, or any of the other material things a person is asking for, but you do have a life transforming message to share. Perhaps someone in your immediate sphere of influence needs to hear it through you?