Acts 3 - How Should We Respond to People Who Beg for Money?

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Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

We all encounter homeless people on a fairly regular basis, and the question I usually ask myself is "What would Jesus do?". Would he give money to this person? Would he try to help them find a job? What if they didn't want any help other than money, would he walk away? Sometimes it is easier to just drop a dollar in a their coin box just so you don't have to deal with them. I have probably done all of the above at one time or another. 

Peter and John were going up to temple, and they met a beggar who was lame since birth. Anyone would have some compassion for someone who was born with this lifetime disability. It says others carried him to the temple, so he could beg for money. That is an interesting arrangement. When the beggar asked them for money, Peter asked him to look straight into his eyes. The beggar expected to get money now that he had gotten their attention. But, he got something much bettter. 

“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." 

The Holy Spirit, Peter and the others were filled with at Pentecost, not only enabled them to speak in tongues, but also to do signs and wonders. In this case they physically healed the man instantly in Jesus' name. The man started jumping and praising God, and he went into the temple. All those who were there were amazed. There was no denying this miracle happened, because everyone who ever went to this temple knew the man's condition. 

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

The people came running and crowded around Peter, much like they did Jesus. Peter quickly deflected any adulation by saying, "Don't look at us, we didn't do this in our own power!" Then Peter refers to God as the "God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob".  Since the crowd was Jewish, they would all know what this meant. 

Peter quickly let's them know that it was this God who raised Jesus from the dead, after they had handed Jesus over to Pilate to be crucified. But Peter and the other apostles witnessed the resurrected Jesus, and it was in his name that this miraculous healing was done. 

Though they had acted in ignorance, God allowed this to happen because it fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah must suffer . But then Peter gives them a chance to turn from their own sinfulness.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

I love that phrase, "Times of refreshing may come from the Lord!" When one turns to Jesus and realizes they are forgiven of all their sins, it brings great comfort, joy, and peace. There is nothing on earth like it. Even Moses referred to Jesus as a prophet that everyone would need to listen to, or they would be cut off from their people. 

Peter then referred to the prophets starting with Samuel, and reminded them that they were inheritors of the covenant God had made with Abraham when he said, "Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ Genesis 22:18

Do you think you would be able to pray for someone who came to you to beg for money? They may not immediately come to Christ or leave the homeless lifestyle, but don't you think it is worthy a try? There is nothing wrong with feeding them with regular food, but they will get hungry again. The food Jesus will offer them will satisfy the real hunger they have in their soul!