What I Do Have I Give You
“1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 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. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
As Peter and John were going to the temple to pray, they encountered a man who had been lame from birth. He sat daily at the temple gate called Beautiful, begging for his livelihood. His need seemed obvious: “expecting to receive something from them.” But Peter declared, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
The apostles acted as Jesus had taught them, extending God’s kingdom through healing and restoration. The name of Jesus was not just words; it carried divine authority and power for renewal.
The man leaped up, began to walk, and entered the temple “walking, jumping, and praising God.” His healing was not just physical—it signified the arrival of God’s kingdom in his life. While he thought money was his greatest need, his true need was the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ.
As we prepare for Christmas during Advent, we remember that many today still sit at “the gate called Beautiful.” Their outward needs may seem tangible, but deeper within, they long for spiritual restoration and the love of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit fill us, so that as we give gifts and share time with loved ones this season, we also become channels of God’s true healing and hope.
Prayer: Lord, You know all our needs and provide for us, lifting us from brokenness into wholeness. We praise You for making us citizens of Your kingdom. Like Peter and John, may we say, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you”—proclaiming the gift of Jesus Christ through our words and deeds. Empower us to share Your love and bring hope to those in need. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.