by Rich Carlson

As I read the book of Acts this morning, I came across a story that I could not relate to at first. But God changed my mind, and suddenly the story had new meaning.

The story is about a crippled man who sat at the Gate Beautiful in Jerusalem. He was brought there by his friends so he could beg outside the temple. My travels have taken me to many religious shrines around the world (including the one mentioned here) and beggars are still there. I have been counseled not to give them anything because they are being exploited by someone else, and they really don't get to keep the money. But I still feel bad not giving them anything when they look so needy and I have so much.

When I do find beggars and I'm alone and uninfluenced by those wise “social servants,” I might give something to them. But then I am targeted by 100 more who have noticed that a giver has been discovered. It is still so hard for me to know what is the right thing to do for the poor of this world.

Peter and John had the best answer: don't give them money; heal them!

When I have witnessed the pain in this world, I have wished I could heal those in need. But if they are quick to spread the word about someone giving out donations, imagine how quick the word would spread that someone was handing out healing! What's a concerned person to do? As I labored with this question, I could not find a complete answer, but I did find a principle that would work in life, no matter how I decide to help those less fortunate.

Peter and John said, "Why do you stare at us?" What a silly question, but a great introduction. If I saw someone walk up to a crippled man on the streets, speak a word, and then heal the man so he could walk, you can bet I’d stare too! But Peter did not just say, "Why do you stare?" He said, "Why do you stare us?"  And he continues by explaining that he and John didn’t do this miracle, God did. The God so many had been rejecting was the One who had that kind of power. Peter and John deflected attention away from themselves and directed the staring crowd to point their stares at Jesus. They wanted to show that wondrous powers don’t come from man, but from God. "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong" (Acts 3:16).  

It would be easy for me to take credit for any good thing that happens in my life, or to take credit for things God allows me to do on His behalf. It is important for me to make a personal decision and commitment that, when something good happens, I am prepared to give God the glory, and direct the staring crowd to Jesus. Ego and pride too often overshadow our actions, but I was reminded again this morning that everything and anything that happens in my life as a gift from God can be used to bring people to Jesus. Any ability or gift that He has given to me is to be used as a tool to illustrate who God is, what He can do, and how eager He is to draw us to Him. He wants so badly to save us and bless us so that we can be a blessing to others—and use that blessing to attract people to the Savior.

I may never heal anyone, but God has blessed me and He has blessed you. I want to use these blessings to point the staring crowd toward Jesus. Want to join me?

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.