Acts 3:2
Now a man crippled from birch was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.
Acts 3:6-7
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.
These two verses are interesting when you look at them side by side. I think they kind of reflect two different ministry philosophies.
There's a crippled man. He needs help.
One group of people decides to help him by carrying him to the gate to beg everyday. Peter and John decided to help him by reaching down, pulling him up on his feet, and telling him to walk.
The ministry of Schweitzer should be more like the latter. We shouldn't have much interest in carrying people to the gate to beg. We shouldn't coddle and cater and spoon feed.
We'll reach down and help you. We'll impart the healing power of Jesus to you. But you've got to get up and walk. You've got to make a personal investment into studying God's Word for yourself.
How about you? Are you investing too much time in carrying people to the gate and droping them off to beg? Are you the one doing the begging when you should be lifting somebody else's burden?
Take some advice from Peter.
In the name of Jesus, walk.
I do like the idea of helping others to walk, rather than helping them to beg. More prayer and thought is required to help others up the ladder. It also requires meeting the needy where they are, talking with them and getting their ideas on how they could improve their lives. It takes a bigger investment of ministry than handing out dollars. Thanks for making me think.
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