No Silver or Gold, Give Dynamite Instead

Mike Hosey, Elder

Big things sometimes come in small packages. Yes, that's a cliche, but cliches are often true.  For instance, you are probably aware that a small stick of dynamite can make a big impact. Well, if you've got the Holy Spirit in you, then you are very much like a powerful stick of dynamite.

Consider an act that the Holy Spirit performed through Peter and John (Acts 3:1-26).  One day those two men were going to the temple, and when they arrived at the temple gate they encountered a crippled beggar who asked them for money. Peter famously replied that he didn't have any silver or gold, but what he did have, he would give to the man. Peter helped the man up, and the power of God healed him that very instant. Although Peter had no money for the man, he did have the power of the Holy Spirit.  And that man, once touched, became an example of the power of God to everyone who witnessed the event -- and more importantly, to everyone who knew that man! 

If you are submitted to Jesus, then you are no different than Peter and John. God may not have gifted you with healing power, but EVERY true Christian is gifted by God through the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists for us many powerful gifts: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

You may not have gold or silver to give to someone, but you can give what you have. You can give love, joy, and peace. You can show patience, give kindness, demonstrate goodness, prove a faithfulness, be gentle, and exercise self control with people who are hurting. Sometimes this can even heal their hurt.  And when it does, everyone who witnesses it, and everyone who knows that someone, will be impacted like they were hit with a holy stick of dynamite!