Gifts, talents, abilities, and skills… all of us have them, all of us use them, most of us work to grow and hone them, and we definitely learn to trust in them. And when it comes to possesions, unlike Peter in the verse above, most of us could not say “Silver and gold I have not…” because we as American Christians, regardless of the state of our economy, have so much compared to the rest of the world’s population. Yet I find in this simple verse a subtle stern warning, one that reminds us of one simple fact we must be careful to not lose sight of  – whatever we have in our “arsenal” on the “silver and gold” front first and foremost came from the Lord. He is the one that instilled in us the very root of our capabilities and provided all that we possess, whatever that may be. Therefore, He should always be the One who is pointed to and receives the glory for all we have and do. At the end of the day, whether we have or have not on the “silver and gold” front is not nearly as important as the fact that we have something far greater than all of it… we have Jesus! It is Jesus we must give to people because it is Jesus alone that can truly change a life. Yes, with silver and gold we can make someone’s standard of living better… yes, with silver and gold we can provide for better health… yes, with silver and gold we can educate and give someone a better chance to provide for themselves… BUT, all of this silver and gold without Jesus only makes for wealthier, healthier, and smarter people who’s souls are in danger of being eternally separated from God.

It is my desire that others see in my life what I see in Peter’s response to this paralytic man – an acknowledgement of a great faith in Jesus. A faith that understands that all the silver and all the gold in the world cannot solve a person’s problems… only a faith in Jesus, like Peter’s, can step into a situation and affect a lasting life change. Consider the faith it took to command the man to rise up and walk. This was a very exposing moment – either the man would get up and validate Peter’s faith or he would not and Peter would look the fool. What a great faith Peter had and it challenges me to the foundations of my own faith. Is my faith resting squarely on Jesus and Him alone, not trusting in “silver and gold?” Am I am willing to risk it all for Jesus? Do I have a faith that is so deeply rooted in Jesus and that is so displayed in my life like Peter’s? Am I willing to even risk being made to look the fool (I speak from a worldly view) for Christ?

So many challenges and questions spring forth from this one small verse. I am thankful for the reminder that whatever this feeble life has to offer, it is nothing apart from Christ. The most valuable thing I have to give someone is to see my faith in Jesus and impacting their life. Jesus Himself is the most important thing I have that I can give them, far more valuable than all the “silver and gold” of this world.

May I, like Peter, place my faith squarely in Christ alone and be willing to risk it all for Him. What say you?

Until next time…. let’s not trust in “silver and gold” but fully trust in God alone!