The Value of God
Scripture Reference: Acts 3:1-6 (KJV)
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 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.
Who is Peter:
1. Originally called Simon (=Simeon ,i.e., "hearing"), a very common Jewish name in the New Testament. His father had probably died while he was still young, and he and his brother were brought up under the care of Zebedee and his wife Salome (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40; 16:1).
2. Simon and his brother doubtless enjoyed all the advantages of a religious training, and were early instructed in an acquaintance with the Scriptures and with the great prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah.
3. He appears to have been settled at Capernaum when Christ entered on his public ministry, and may have reached beyond the age of thirty. His house was large enough to give a home to his brother Andrew, his wife’s mother, and also to Christ, who seems to have lived with him (Mark 1:29, 36; 2:1), as well as to his own family. It was apparently two stories high (2:4).
Who is John:
1. THE APOSTLE, brother of James the "Greater" (Matt. 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; 3:17; 10:35). He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee (Matt. 4:21) and Salome (Matt. 27:56; comp. Mark 15:40), and was born at Bethsaida.
2. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (comp. Mark 1:20; Luke 5:3; John 19:27).
3. He was doubtless trained in all that constituted the ordinary education of Jewish youth.
The sole reason that these particular points were brought forth is to illustrate with scripture references that Peter and James were not some poor peasants that were out ministering the word of God
The reason that I make this point is because there are many people of today that would like to label Christianity as the “Poor man’s religion”. This is far from true
Some saints would like to go as far as to give persuasive arguments about whether or not people with excess money are blessed or cursed. This is confusion from Satan.
I would like to attack this confusion not by supporting either case one way or the other but proving the value of God. My hope is that it can be better understood just how important and valuable a word from God can be in our lives.
The fact that Peter and John said that they did not have silver and gold does not mean that they could not have silver and gold they simply did not have any at the time. This needs to be understood by some because we may began to think that we are doing God a favor when we give our offerings to the church.
We must always understand that to give is ordered by God and fully expected to be included in our walk with God (MalachI 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.)
Many Christians have conveniently decided to leave Malachi chapter 3 and verse 11 out of this passage when they teach, preach or talk about it because it describes in detail what we can expect from God when we keep the first part of this contract (Malachi 3:10).
In verse 11 of this passage (Malachi 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.) it reads that He will rebuke the devour from destroying what you are working on. If you are not working on anything, then we cannot expect that the Lord can help us with our situation.
As we look at today’s scripture we should notice that in verse two there was a mention of a group of people that the bible refers to as “they” (verse 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;)
Let’s look at “they”;
1. “They” must not have been people that actually visited the inside of the temple often because the scripture says that “they” asked alms from them who actually entered.
Alms - Voluntary contributions to aid the poor
- It is interesting how the people outside of the church “they” look to those inside of the church to be blessed. What’s stopping them from entering the church themselves and learning to give.
2. “They” were consistent in asking for the alms. The scripture says that “they” were at the gate daily. “They” had turned the act of asking alms into a profession.
- How many groups make a living from contributions from the church that “they” fully expect the church to give or “they” will blame the church for their condition when the church does not give to the standard that “they” expect.
3. Now I ask myself, now that “they” had become “professional alms takers” how did “they” really feel when Peter and James fixed the problem and now “they” were forced to have to actually go out and get a real profession.
- There are so many people in society today that realize that there will always be misfortunate people in society (Mark 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.) and “they” have made a profession from taking alms to help the people. Having full knowledge that “they” would be able to keep the larger portion for themselves. They would be in total chaos for God to come and bless them with closure and healing to their situation.
They are never really looking for or expecting their situation to be fixed.
When Peter said to get up and walk I would have loved to see the expression of their faces.
This certainly caused a great sermon on behalf of Jesus Christ of Nazareth to be expressed by those involved as well as those who were there to witness the event.
CONCLUSION
Maybe God has not “blessed” you with everything that you think that you should have.
That may not be how he wants to deal with your situation at all. However if you really take notice, He has provided the extra strength, time, money, resources, etc. that you think that you need to get up and walk.
By giving us all that we need to be able to do the work with, he has ordered us to get up and do for ourselves. Thus, the value of God is truly immeasurable.
Let’s pray
Thank You. May God continue to bless you and keep you. Amen
Your Friend
Minister Juan D. Lane
