Acts 3: 1-8
“3 One day Peter and John2 Now a man who was lame from birth3 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,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,
The Word teaches that there will always be poor amoung us. It also teaches that we should give to and take care of the poor. That is part of our ministry on earth. As a Christian that is not our mission. Our mission is to make deciples (Matt 28:16-20). Often we give money to the poor, which we should, but we stop there feeling satisfied with our “good work” or we don’t give at all because we don’t have any cash on us. Both cases yield the same result…A failure to provide what they need. Wholistic ministry is ministering to the mind, body, and soul. This failure to fully minister bleeds into our everyday walk and becomes a habit in all our interactions.
People want our time, money, and help but do we give them what Peter did? Peter didn’t walk away because he didn’t have the money the crippled man asked for. He stopped and gave him freedom. He mentioned the name of Jesus and through Jesus the man was healed and began praising God. In this life, the ability to walk represents freedom. Freedom to move. Freedom to live. It is only through Jesus can we experience true freedom. We can’t make disciples by just giving. We must live like Jesus and we must speak the gospel. People don’t need money. They need Jesus. As a Christian you may not always have money but you have an abundance of Jesus. Give abundantly!
