One day Peter and John were walking up to the temple when they saw a crippled man being carried to the temple gate- where he begged daily. When he saw Peter and John coming he asked them for money. Peter looked at him and said "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." (Acts 3:6) And the man went with them into the temple courts walking and jumping, and praising God.
This man wasn't even asking for what he really needed- because he probably didn't believe he could get it. He might have lost hope; but Peter and John had hope and faith for him. They knew what they could give him that would change his life. Friends, we all have something to give. It might be money, time, or talent, and it might be the opportunity to share the name of Jesus with someone who is hurting. Whatever we have, we need to give it freely. And we have to pray for open eyes to be able to see the needs of the people around us.
I'm reading a missions' devotional book entitled He Walks Among Us and it says "In the face of the world's overwhelming problems, I'm often tempted to believe I have little to offer... British philosopher Edmund Burke once said, 'Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.' I can't solve the problems of the world, but I can do something." (P.31).
And this is the essence of why we are alive- to give. To give to others and by doing so we find joy, we find purpose, and happiness. We give to others and by doing so we are giving back to the Lord-- and at the same time He is giving to us.
There's so many times in my own life that I've said to myself "I'm not good enough" or "I can't do a good enough job to make a difference." In Kenya I've said "I don't speak Swahili and I don't know enough about labor and delivery." In my Pediatric floor I've told myself I'm not a good enough nurse. I look at my bank account and sometimes I don't think I have enough money to be generous or to spend more money to go on another mission trip. And yet God tells me "I'm calling you to serve, and I'm going to give you the skills you need." He equips us to serve. He gives us gifts. And He wants us to to use them, to be courageous and fearless, to take risks with the strengths (and even weaknesses) He's given us.
And every time we serve or we give, with God's name, He blesses us generously, extraordinarily, and more than we could ever imagine.
