Just give me the money

Back at my native place, there was a way in which the town folk would respond to a drunk. They understood that the man was misbehaving under the influence of alcohol, and they’d say, “ignore him, it is the alcohol speaking not the man’.

I was reading the story of a man who sat outside a church and begged for money.

For many years the man was stuck in a rut. He was lame.

One day he sought for money from a man of God who stepped out of the church after worship.

The response was a blunt “No”

Can you guess who this man of God was?

It was Peter, the Apostle of Jesus and the story I was reading is mentioned in the third chapter of the book of Acts.

I imagine Peter pause as he spoke “I don’t have silver or gold”, meaning that he denied giving money to the begging man.

Just like the story of the drunk man in my hometown, Apostle Peter in this instance was drunk with the Holy Spirit. And so, the one who said ‘No’ to the beggar was not Peter, but the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter.

Then, Peter goes on to say ‘but let me give you what I do have. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk’

Can you picture the scene?

First the lame beggar is told that he is not getting any money when that was the reason why he waited outside the temple. Then he is told to get up and walk.

I imagine the chances that the man wants to walk are slim because by now he’s got used to this lifestyle. He has adjusted to being handicapped. He has adapted to not working for a living. He has resigned himself to not having enough. He has adjusted to hearing people say ‘No.’

I also imagine the man murmuring to himself angrily “Don’t preach, just give me the money”

Scientifically, anyone who has not walked for a long time will find it difficult to start walking suddenly because the muscles grow weak, so is the case with the lame beggar, who has not walked from birth, and yet, he listens to Peter.

Why?

Because Peter is under the influence of the Holy Spirit and his voice carries the authority of God.

“In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 

And the man, lame from birth instantly got strength in his ankles and began to walk, then run, then jumped and began to leap and praised God.

Here’s what I learned from this amazing story:

When God asks us to do something difficult, it means there is a greater benefit inherent in obeying that instruction. Of course, it may not always be easy to realise that the command is for our benefit.

For years, the lame man was a victim of his circumstances. 

His ability to do anything substantial is bound by a deficiency. That handicap has led him to joblessness, poverty, lack of self-worth and other physical, emotional, and social problems.

Until the day God decides to set him free.

God uses Peter and helps the man to get out of the rut. 

What produces the miracle?

It’s a combination of things.

1. The Word from God
2. A command released in faith by a servant of God
3. The  man’s obedience.

Has God been asking you to step up in obedience to do something difficult?

Have you been feeling like God is instructing you to do something as you pray or as you read the Bible?

Or maybe you have received a Word from a man or woman of God, and you are finding it difficult to trust that it will come to pass.

Let me encourage you, if you listen to the instruction from the Lord, He will certainly keep His promise and send a great blessing your way, simply because of your obedience.

May your weekend be filled with happiness and laughter.

Bible verse:

 Now, a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Acts chapter 3 verses 2- 8

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