0326. Peter's Response

Peter’s Response

"Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee" (Act_3:6).

1. Peter and John were besought for an alms. The lame man evidently felt certain that he would receive a liberal gift, for he fastened his eyes upon them. Peter at once confessed his poverty: "Silver and gold have I none."

It is needless to remark that as far as money was concerned, Peter was quite as impoverished as was the beggar, who sought an alms. However, Peter possessed an endless supply of the true riches. He lived in touch with the bank of Glory. He could secure by drafts upon his account, any sum necessary to meet his daily needs; and he had an abundance laid by for the endless ages of eternity.

"A tent or a cottage, why should I care?

They’re building a palace for me over there."

2. Peter was ready to impart what he had. "Such as I have give I unto thee." This is God’s will for every life. We have to give; we hold to impart. None of us should worry because we cannot give what we do not possess. God does not demand more than this: "If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."

"What is that in thine hand?" These were the words God spoke to Moses, and these are the words He speaks to us. Ponder the depths of Peter’s response–"Such as I have give I." Who will join in this same spirit of service? Who will give their all and give it gladly to the Lord’s demands?

3. A slight digression may be permissible. Mark this. Peter and John were going up to the Temple to pray, and they were going "broke." They were going with nothing in their pocket to put into the treasury box. It is always a real joy to a real saint to give their money to God; but a depleted pocket book is no excuse for absenting oneself from the house of God.

4. Even those who do not have money to give, have something that is better by far. Silver and gold is not the biggest thing God, and the church, and the preacher can receive from one about to enter the church edifice. Even the Macedonians "first gave themselves unto God," and then, afterwards, they gave of their poverty, in the riches of their liberality. God can use your gold, but He greatly prefers your love. As in the case of Peter and John, where we have no money to give, we can certainly do valiant and well-worth service.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR