The glow of my iPad was the only light in the room as my husband lay sleeping next to me. My daily reading was not finished and his soft breathing mixed with the hum of the air conditioner overhead were doing their best to lull me to sleep, but the words on the screen pierced my soul.
Should I take the time to make notes?
The minutes were creeping dangerously close to Midnight, but the Word was unrelenting. So I started to underline, opened my notes tab and began to type.
God’s timing is always good, even if it’s not always convenient.
Last night’s revelation was derived from the Book of Acts, Chapter 3. I know it’s a bit cliche, but the words jumped off the digital page at me. Key verses, delivering truth. Even in my bleary-eyed state.
There are certain truths about helping people, in the name of Jesus, that seem to hold fast.
What I discovered last night were two questions that we can ask ourselves to ramp up our helping to Biblical proportions (like Peter!)
Question 1: Am I giving what I have?
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 3:6
Interestingly, the Crippled Beggar had been begging for years. Presumably for money. But in the end, Peter says, I don’t have money for you (what he was asking for) but what I do have, I can give (healing!)
Wouldn’t it be crazy if we gave people what we could, even if it wasn’t what they expressly asked for?
This verse still has me reeling. I can think of countless times when my answer was NO, when perhaps I could have given something different, which could in the end be equally helpful or better. What if Peter walked by because he didn’t have money??? Instead he stopped, and offered what he DID have. And the crippled beggar didn’t just eat that day, he WALKED to get his meal!
Question 2: Am I looking for the credit?
…why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. Acts 3:12b-13
Many of us, myself chief among them, are quick to look for acknowledgement when we’ve helped someone. We are only human, after all, but we are inclined toward affirmation of our time, money or talents.
What if we helped without seeking fame or praise?
Peter’s words cut me to the quick. Read them again. Let them soak in deep. And remember the source of ALL you have, especially when giving it away.
I love when I find answers to questions I didn’t know I had.
Check this passage out for yourself. You’ll maybe catch something I didn’t.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on helping others or what you learned from this passage. Share with us in the comments.