Silver & Gold Have I None

[Digging4Truth]

Just a thought that crossed my mind during the sermon yesterday morning.

As they approached the Gate called Beautiful there he was again. The same man that had been there for decades begging alms. When they neared where he sat this time they realized that they had nothing to give him. They checked each possible place where a spare coin might be and nothing.

So they uttered the words that translate to "Silver & Gold have I none... but such as I have give I thee".

I wonder if, on that day, they had some change in their pockets if the lame man would have remained lame but with a few more coins in his hand? Was it the realization that they had nothing to give what triggered the additional realization that they knew someone who did?

Sometimes it's when we're down to nothing left to give (not just financially but in many other possible ways as well) that we see most clearly that there is a bigger hand than ours.

Sometimes when we're at a loss as to what we could offer that we best realize that there is one that can help beyond all of our ability.

Sometimes I wonder if our plenty is complicit in our occasional failure to realize there is more that can be done than a bandage here or there. There is a healing that can be had rather than just another help to make it through another day.

Lord let these words speak to me as I strive to learn to offer people more than what I can do... but offer them what you can do as well. My helps are temporary and only give another moments hope. Your helps are permanent and life changing.

Help me remember that what I have isn't the total measure of what we can offer people. And help me realize it even in plenty and not have to wait until I have nothing left to give to have my eyes opened to what you can do in a persons life.

[Austin]

Very good post. The other thing in this message is this. The apostles passed him by all their lives and saw him there. So did Jesus during his ministry because he too went through that gate many times.
It shows how God is always on time and in his time to do all things. We on the other hand need to wait after we have believed him through faith.

The second revelation here is this: You can tell these men are pentecostal preachers because they don't have any money. No!~ just joking:

[Jay]

Austin, I found that to be funny. Your point was good, but I will be hung on the second one for days.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Austin

Very good post. The other thing in this message is this. The apostles passed him by all their lives and saw him there. So did Jesus during his ministry because he too went through that gate many times.
It shows how God is always on time and in his time to do all things. We on the other hand need to wait after we have believed him through faith.

The second revelation here is this: You can tell these men are pentecostal preachers because they don't have any money. No!~ just joking:

Great thought...

And then a funny one.

[Austin]

Thanks I didn't mean it to be mean and not making fun of pentecostal preachers for I have many that are my true friends. I just know how hard it is for them to get the sanctified saints who don't want to sin but be holy, to give of their finances.
A lot of my preacher friends never have money because they are always giving it to some else.
Anyway that was my point. I certainly believe when we give from our heart freely the Lord Jesus will give back multiplied that same seed sown. Praise His name!

[Jay]

As a preacher's son, I know that is often the case for pastors of small churches. That is why I found it funny. No insult taken.

There is perhaps another thought to go with it. Is it possible that we put our trust in money more than in the power of God. It seems that we had more power in the Spirit before we had money.

[AreYouReady?]

Good post digging4truth.

Your post just reminded me about this 88-year-old lady, who all she wants is a visit from someone. She is a shut-in at the nursing home. I need to go and visit her.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Good post digging4truth.

Your post just reminded me about this 88-year-old lady, who all she wants is a visit from someone. She is a shut-in at the nursing home. I need to go and visit her.

Wow... that would be so fantastic to know that you went and gave her a visit. I pray that your visit is an immense blessing to both of you and that you find it something that you do on a regular basis.

Blessings to you my friend.

[Austin]

Originally Posted by Jay

As a preacher's son, I know that is often the case for pastors of small churches. That is why I found it funny. No insult taken.

There is perhaps another thought to go with it. Is it possible that we put our trust in money more than in the power of God. It seems that we had more power in the Spirit before we had money.

I think when we were poorer we were in a more humble state of mind in reflection to Jesus and the world around us, and our trust was more in him which brought us closer to him through prayer and fasting and meditation in his word.
However, we need to learn to be that way even if we were millionaires. Solomon and David, and Abraham, and Job, were all blessed of God in wealth. It was not the wealth that caused their problems it was their stability in fellowship with the Lord.
It is commanded in the bible to help the poor and needy, we can't do that if we don't have any means to do it with.
Many Christians take the finical blessing of the Lord the wrong way. Money was never meant to be hoared up. It was meant to flow through us to others, that is the way it works. Having all sufficiently in all things that we might bless others.
We need to learn how to let God bless us financially but also show us how not to love money but allow it to flow through us to help others. Then we will be like the ox that treads down the corn.

[Austin]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Good post digging4truth.

Your post just reminded me about this 88-year-old lady, who all she wants is a visit from someone. She is a shut-in at the nursing home. I need to go and visit her.

When I first started out that's what I did. Saw a miracle of healing as a result. An elderly lady who had not walked for years. I prayed for her as I was instructed to do so by the Lord's direction. The next day she was out in the hallway walking. It scared the staff. When I heard i returned to the Nursing Home to visit her. The staff would not talk to me they just stared.\
Several weeks later this lady went home to be with the Lord.
There is a great reward in visiting the ones who have been left behind by their families or have no family at all.