I often say living by faith is both exhilarating and terrifying and the same time. Exhilarating when we receive God’s provision, yet terrifying when God’s timetable doesn’t match our monthly bills. This has been our journey since leaving the security of a salaried ministry position, in pursuit of Jesus and a new wineskin. Then, as I read a familiar passage in my Bible, it struck me, “Thank God they had no money!”
Money is a hot topic for Jesus. 11 of his 39 parables teach something about our relationship with money. Love it too much, and money becomes our Master, determining our decisions and directing our lives. Yet, we can’t live without it, as the song from Cabaret says, ‘money makes the world go round’. But Jesus is clear: we must choose who or what we serve. For Jesus’ followers, two masters are not an option (Matthew 6:24). It was as I read this passage in Acts 3, I found myself asking, “Who or what do I serve?” Let’s look at the story.
On their usual daily route to pray at the temple, Peter and John pass a Disabled man who regularly begged for money. In a world without a social welfare or benefit system, this man was totally dependent on the charity of others. Disabled from birth and with a lifetime of experience, this man had undoubtedly discovered those going to prayer were more inclined to have compassion and give. But today was different. As he asked passers-by for money, he caught the attention of Peter and John, apostles, and disciples of Jesus. “Look at us!”, they told the man firmly. Fully expecting money, he must have been disappointed to hear Peter confess, “Silver and gold I do not have”. It struck me how differently this encounter could have been if Peter and John had a pocket full of money. Empty pockets meant seeking God for His plan, a better plan. God’s plan was transformation, a life changed forever. If Peter and John had given money, just as the man had asked, an opportunity for God’s Kingdom to come would have been missed. And the next day the Disabled man would have been back again, relying on friends to carry him to his favoured place at the temple gate called Beautiful. Money isn’t always the answer. There are times when God blesses us with money, but there are times when God blesses us by withholding money because He has a better plan, a plan to transform us and those around us. A plan to break into our world, to be seen by a world that doesn’t know Him, to demonstrate His power and authority.
Have you ever played the game: What would I do with £1million? Go on, have a go. I’ve never played this game without soon wishing I had more! In fact, it doesn’t seem to matter the amount, it never seems to go far enough. This, Jesus teaches, is the deceitfulness of wealth that can lead to unfruitfulness (Matthew 13:22). Wealth promises so much yet will always leave us wanting more. I remember playing this game with my wife and imagining what we could do for our children if we won the lottery and then it struck us. What we would intend as a blessing could also ruin their lives. Just imagine having a bottomless bank account. It sounds like a dream, but would it become their Master? No longer would they have to seek God for His will. No need to develop patience or persevere as they wait for God to provide. With a bank balance that always said ‘yes’, depending on a Sovereign God would become optional, not a necessity.
As I read this story, I was able to thank God that I am dependent upon God for His provision. Without a bottomless bank account, I must seek God and His will for my life. I must learn to trust my Lord and Master to provide in His way and in His time. Over the years, we have received God’s miraculous provision on numerous occasions. I have also experienced when God withholds His provision. It forces me to find hope, pray and learn to be content in all situations.
Decisions seem easier and quicker when we have money in the bank, but when we don’t, we’re forced to think and behave differently. Last year, our car had a serious fault, and it was uneconomical to fix, so for 7 months, we didn’t have a car. If I had the money, without question I would have bought one. But when God withholds until exactly the right time, we learnt to rely on His provision to get us where we needed to be. We enjoyed conversations we would have never had with those who gave us lifts. We experienced the blessing of neighbours who lent us their car. It’s not easy, but this story in Acts reminds me to trust that God’s plan is bigger and better than mine. With a pocket full of money, Peter and John could have missed the life-changing miracle God had in mind. Thank God they had no money!!
Featured photo by Emil Kalibradov on Unsplash
"Live to Serve" 