A Lesson in Generosity

By CE Flatt

The long awaited kingdom, the church, had just come and people had just become members of it. (Acts 2:47) The very next recorded event was a meeting between two of the apostles and a beggar who had been carried to the temple to ask alms. The scene which developed from this meeting is the basis of this article. No matter what other lessons can be ob­served from this, a lesson on generosity is very vividly seen. Let us consider this.

The Receiver

Consider the receiver in this scene. He was a lame man. He was dependent upon others who brought him to a place to ask alms. Such a person was to be pit­ied. But while we are offering our pity for this man, let us be reminded that the whole of human­ity is crippled by the terrible malady of sin. This crippling goes all the way back to our forefathers in the garden. The crippling is so bad that it results in death. (Eph. 2:1) All humanity needs help for we are told that it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. (Jeremiah 10:23) None of us can heal our­selves.

The Givers

Consider the givers in this scene. Peter and John were the im­mediate givers as they went into the temple. Indirectly the giver was God. The cripple asked for an alms. He received an alms but not the one for which he was asking. He was asking for silver or gold. The apostles told him that they did not have any silver or gold or at least they did not have any to give to him. The thing given was a very generous gift. They gave him power to stand, walk, and leap. Surely, we can see in all of this that Christians ought to be gener­ous in giving to those who are in need. Recall Galatians 6:10 in this connection: "...as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

The Gift

Consider the gift which was given. The lame man got far more than he ever dreamed of receiving. The apostles gave what they had. Of course, we are not apostles and none of us has the power to heal, but still we have something to give to a crippled world. Strange as it may seem to some, we have something to give of far greater value than that which this cripple received. We have, at our dis­posal, that which will heal the crippled soul. That is what the scriptures will do. In Romans 1:16 we are told that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we are told what all the scriptures will do: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" That is what the Christian has in his hand. Second Timothy 2:2 says: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." This is the theme so well expressed in the song:

Into our hands the gospel is given,

Into our hands is given the light,

Haste, let us carry God's precious message,

Guiding the erring back to the right.

The Channel

Notice the channel through which the gift flowed. "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth ...," the reply came. (Acts 3:6) Whether the gift is given collec­tively or individually as a Chris­tian, it should come through in the name of Jesus Christ. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col. 3:17)

Conclusion

Are you a Christian? Have you done what these had done in Acts 2;38? You may act gener­ously whether or not you are a Christian, but when you act gener­ously as a Christian it is God who gets ‑the glory an& others will know it is being done because you are a Christian.

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