The Holy Spirit had come, the church was growing, and the disciples were busy spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Jerusalem. On their way to the temple one afternoon, Peter and John came across a crippled man who had been lame from birth. Day after day he was placed by the temple gate so he could beg for charity as people walked by. His primary focus was on his physical needs, but God had something better in store for him.
As Peter and John walked by, the man did what he had always done, reaching out his hands for a donation. When Peter said, “I don’t have any money for you,” that could’ve been the end of the encounter. The man would’ve been disappointed, but not surprised. He was probably used to people walking by without giving him anything. But Peter and John did have something to share with this man. Something of much greater value than silver and gold. They had Jesus!
The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” – Acts 3:5-6 NLT
The world is full of people in need.
As followers of Christ, we are commanded to care for people’s physical needs whenever we can. But we must also care for their spiritual needs by sharing the gospel. Jesus wants to heal and restore broken lives. He wants to provide peace and hope in desperate situations. He wants to bring people from death to life. When you share Jesus with someone who is hurting and lost, it can change their eternal trajectory.
God has chosen to use people to help people. Be generous. Give your time and your resources to people in need. But never forget it is only the gospel that can truly transform lives.
If Peter and John had given this man a few silver coins, all that would’ve changed would’ve been the weight of his satchel. But God had so much more in store for him. When we seek God, we may not always get what we think we need, but He always has something better in store for us. Something that will be for our ultimate good and His glory.
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and understanding! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! … For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen. – Romans 11:33, 36 NLT
The beggar’s response to his life-changing encounter with the power of Jesus was to praise God joyfully! When Jesus steps in and changes your eternal trajectory, you can’t help but give Him praise.
