Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee:
My wife Sheila sent me a quote that stirred this in me. Thank you Sheila.
We all know the story of how Peter and John went up to the temple to pray one morning, and there was this crippled beggar there. As always, beggars like to get right where the traffic is. Nothing has changed. So Peter tells this beggar to look at him. That is already different from us. We hate making eye contact with beggars. Eye contact can spell responsibility. But Peter is not afraid, although he has no money to offer.
“Silver and gold have I none.” Peters lack of funds did not deter him from this encounter. “Such as I have” ...now that is loaded. If we have no change, no currency of any sort and we encountered a beggar, what "such as I have" would we be able to offer?
Too often the Kingdom is put on hold due to the, “silver and gold have I none.” Great ideas are shot down on this basis. Generosity only exists amidst flourishing economies and surplus in household budgets. But when such is the case it only serves to prove that our trust was in what we could do without the Holy Ghost and had nothing to do with the values of the Kingdom. If giving to others can only occur when we have plenty left over after all our wants and needs are met, what kingdom value were we walking in to start with? Peter was not hindered by, “silver and gold have I none.” He knew of a resource far greater and more powerful than money or worldly answers.
“In the name” To whom do you belong and whose resources are you utilizing? How much of Jesus are you letting out, how far have you allowed the Holy Spirit to take you in your endeavor to know Jesus? Do you have enough to spare, or are you afraid that if you give away what little you possess you will become a beggar yourself?
He is infinite, His resources are infinite, His love is infinite, His grace is infinite, His power is infinite and His ways past finding out. I dare say you have more than enough.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
