The receipt of a gift which is received as a complete surprise, doubles the enjoyment of the gift.
The gift of God given this man was undoubtedly unexpected.
He, at best, expected alms but not mobility for the first time in his life! He had often been laid at the temple gates to receive sufficient alms to keep body and soul together. This day, however, he received strength and ability to earn a living as other men.
What a blessing it is to be able to fend for one’s self! No wonder he praised God. We are created to do so. Genesis 2:15.
Tonight I wish to consider verse 6.
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee:
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk,” Acts 3:6.
I. A DISAPPOINTING DISCLOSURE
“Peter said, Silver and gold have I none.”
1. After three with the Saviour, Peter is financially poor. It is not God’s immediate purpose to make us wealthy in this world’s goods. 1 Tim 6:5-11.
2. To have little of this world’s goods is no shame. Peter openly acknowledged his poverty, as did the Saviour. Matthew 8:20. As did Paul, 2 Cor 6:10. John Wesley left just enough money to bury him!
3. Poverty is no handicap in serving God. The greatest of all missionary enterprises had just begun and yet the leading missionary had no money! The Lord had fully equipped His servants SPIRITUALLY, Acts 2:2-4.Money was not included It would be when required!
II. A GENEROUS GESTURE
“But such as I have give I thee”.
1. The people of God have something to give to a seeking world. How many are in need and looking to the wrong things for help! This man’s friends did what they could but it was far short of what the Lord did for Him.
2. Our giving must match our receiving. “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee,” Deuteronomy 16:17. “Freely ye have received, freely give,” Matthew 10:8. “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea,” Acts 11:29.
3. Our giving is to the ‘whosoever’. This man was unknown to Peter. How selective in our missionary labours and outreach we sometimes are!
III. A SUPERNATURAL EVENT
1. What took place was wrought by Christ. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”. In the name, by the authority of the Saviour. Acts 3:12-16. “If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole,” Acts 4:9-10. Peter rejected any claim to honour.
2. What had taken place was truly miraculous. The man was crippled for 40 years, Acts 4:22. But now he leapt up and walked, 3:8.
3. What took place had spiritual and physical consequences. “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God,” verse 8. Note too “And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John,” 3:11. To me this means more than a physical holding of the apostles but it speaks of that mentioned in Acts 2:42. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” There was a spiritual clinging to God’s men and their teachings.
4. What took place illustrates the way of salvation. He was laid hold of by Peter and he laid hold of Peter’s word! In salvation, the Lord must lay hold on us and then we must, by faith, lay hold on Him. “Jesus . . . said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? . . . . And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him,” John 9:35, 38.