Silver and Gold

Read Acts 3:1 - 10

The day was a regular old day for the crippled beggar.  However at three o’clock in the afternoon his life would be forever changed.  The Apostle’s Peter and John approached the temple gate called “Beautiful”  where the man was beging for money.  According to R. Kent Hughes in his commentary of Acts he writes, “His begging post was one of the best spots in the entire city because of its location.  It was the perfect place to solicit funds.”

The Apostle Peter apporaches the man and says, “Silver and gold I do not have”.  Words that the beggar probably did not want to hear, and then says, “…but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  At this point the physician, Luke, describes in detail the miraculous event that takes place as the man is completely restored to health.  The Bible tells us that he “jumped to his feet and he began to walk.”  At that moment he did something he has never done before in his life, he began to walk on his own.  He runs, jumps and praises God for this miracle.  When the onlookers saw this they were all amazed.

This crippled man got more than he bargained for on this day.  What started out as a regular day where the man was seaking some spare change ends up being healed of a lifelong handicap.  I am sure his views about the important things in  life changed very quickly. Beginning that day his concern was for money and that evening when he laid his head down to sleep he was able to walk to his bed in his own strength,  healed from a lifelong ailment. 

This raises the question, "what is true happiness?"  I can safely say that happiiness is not found in stuff like money, power or status.  As Christians our true happiness comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.  If we were able to go back two thousand years and interview this crippled beggar do you think he would answer, “Well all I wanted was some money that day and instead I was healed of my handicap.  I wish those guys would have just given me money instead.”?  I doubt that’s what he would say.  At this point in this man’s life he could have cared less about money, what he found this day was far greater than a few coins of silver and gold.

Is this true for you today?  Do you find true happiness in stuff like money, power or status?  Happiness is found in Jesus Christ and nothing can bring true peace and joy in your life than having a personal relationship with Him.