Ministry: The Art of Giving

Text-One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 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. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:1-8

Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and JUMPING, and praising God.

What Peter had to give wasn't of earthly value, but of heavenly value. Acts 2:45 talks about how the disciples sold all their possessions and gave to anyone that had a need. Peter saw a need, and gave to this man what HE was worth. Give to people what they need so others can give greater attention to God.

1.) Give (v.6) - ...what I have I give to you. When you are uncomfortable in spirit, you become stretched. What do we have to give...awesome and life changing power of the Holy Spirit. Little is much when God is in it. We have power. There is something you can do to make others lives better.

2.) Give! - Matthew 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Gave.....Gave.....Gave....Give as if you are giving what you've got to God. What do you give to? The least of these. What do you give to God? You give what you have.

3.) Give!! - Keep giving...sometimes till it hurts. Pastor Dan tells of a story from his childhood in which an older woman from the church felt like she had nothing to give to the church or its people become she was of little means. One day when finding out that Dan collected rubber bands, she became Dan's #1 supplier for the elastic-fun-machines. She found that her giving had purpose, despite how small of a gift it was. There is something special about giving the most insignificant, smallest gift. It brought joy to one.....the One!

Little is much when God is in it!!!