What Do You Have?
The question above is one that we have all asked at one time or another. When someone had something they were not suppose to, we asked this question. When our children were hiding something, we asked this question, “What do you have?”
In Acts 3, Peter and John have gone to the temple. A beggar is brought there every day and sits at the temple gate asking for money. I can vision these two apostles walking toward the beggar as he extends the cup, even rattling it for attention.
Peter, along with John, speaks to him and says, “‘Look at us!’ 5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, ‘I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!’ 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God;” Acts 3:4-9 (NASB) The apostles did not have money to give to him, but they gave Him something better...healing from his disability. As he leapt up and entered the temple, he was praising God. Truly he had received more on this day than he had ever hoped to receive.
We do not have the ability to do the miracles as the apostles did, but what do you have? (1) The Word of God that tells of the Miracle Worker and His divine love and care for all people. (2) The ability to bring happiness to another through the good news of Jesus. (3) The hope of heaven because of your obedience to the Word of God. (4) Being able to help one less fortunate than you in some small way. It could be a note of encouragement, a pat on the back for a job well done, or a helping hand when one cannot help themselves.
All of these and many more things are what you have. The question now is, will you take the opportunity to help someone else? Will you look past your own needs to the needs of another? You have the opportunity, take the time and watch someone else smile broadly because you had (and took) the time to do something for them. It’s in your hands. Will you take it?