Gold and Silver
Acts 3:1-18
If you watch the news much, you may have seen all these commercials touting gold as the greatest investment for our current economic climate. The spokesman for one of these commercials is G. Gordon Liddy. Back in the days of the Nixon administration, Liddy was the one who masterminded the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. It was the cover up of this act that led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974, and Liddy spent four and a half years in prison for what he did.
Liddy once said, “I have found within myself all I need and all I ever shall need. I am a man of great faith, but my faith is in George Gordon Liddy. I have never failed me.”
His statement is not entirely accurate, though. He does place a little faith in gold, doesn’t he? His “great faith” is directed toward himself, and his promotional efforts after he got out of prison landed him spots in radio and as a popular guest on talk shows. He does a pretty good job of calling attention to himself.
When you think about it, Liddy’s attitudes are common in our humanistic world. You may come into contact with this mindset in your friends, neighbors or co-workers. A “me first” mentality, a misplaced sense of what is important, and rampant self-promotion run wild. These negatives qualities not only represent an unrealistic way of viewing ourselves and the world around us, but they also stand in opposition to the biblical pattern of Christian ethics. What a huge contrast we see in the Bible of people of faith.
Among the many Bible examples we could cite, Peter stands out as a man who displays a proper perspective. His encounter with a lame man at the temple can teach us all about where a Christian’s energies should be directed.
Read Acts 3:1-10 and note some important facts:
Some men see, but don’t see (v. 3-5). The lame man “saw” Peter and John, but didn’ t see what Peter wanted him to see. The lame man saw them as a source of alms, not as apostles of Jesus. He expected to receive something from them. But what he expected was what man could give. How many times do we set our sights lower and focus on what man can give, instead of desiring what God can give?
What he expected, Peter didn’t have (v. 6-8). Peter said “Silver and gold I do not have.” Peter wasn’t just using exaggeration here (Matt 4:18-20). The disciples gave up plenty of worldly things to follow Christ. Jesus said in Luke 14:33 that whoever does not forsake all he has cannot be His disciple. In fact, Peter affirmed himself that he had left all (Matt. 19:27). Paul would react to the loss of such things as rubbish (Phil. 3:8). So it was clear disciples were not to worry much about material hings, since they were to be seeking first the kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Peter would have given him silver and gold if he had any (Luke 12:33). But the gift he could give was far more valuable. Healing in the name of Jesus Christ!
Peter avoided self promotion (v. 9-12). All the people saw what had happened to the man, and they ran to gather around Peter and John. Peter avoided self-promotion here, instead giving the credit to God. Peter could have made money with such a gift, and become famous. He could have had silver and gold, but he preferred the treasure that does not rust or decay, that is laid up in heaven (Matt. 6:19-20). As he told Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:20-22). Peter did not want attention for himself.
Peter points to the true focus of the universe ( v. 13-18) God, His Son, and His pl an. Peter’s true purpose in performing the act of healing was glorifying God. He sought attention for Christ, not himself! As he wrote in 1 Peter 2:11-12. By acting in this way, he was staying true to the teachings of His Master (Matt. 5:16; 9: 8).
Conclusion Peter was not
that interested in gold. He wasn’t much interested in self, either . Instead, he
thought to promote Jesus Christ and God’ s plan of salvation. Acts 3:19. He did
this by performing a good work that drew attention to Christ.