YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE: SO WHAT ARE YOU GIVING?

Aug 11
4 min read

"What I Have, I Give You"

One of the most beautiful passages in the Bible is found in Acts 3. Peter and John were going up together to the temple at the hour of prayer. At the gate called Beautiful, there was a man who had been lame from birth. Every day, he was carried to the temple gate to beg from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. But Peter looked directly at him and said: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”(Acts 3:6 NKJV). Imagine asking for money and receiving healing. The man thought he needed money because money was what would solve his immediate problem. But Peter recognised that there was something deeper that he needed. If Peter had simply given him money, maybe he would have eaten that day. But the next day, he would have still needed to return to that same gate and ask for more. Someone would still have had to carry him there. But Peter gave him something that changed the root of his situation. And that is where I believe the message begins.

What I have, I give you.

Most times, we focus on what we can physically give people. Money. Food. Clothes. Opportunities. Gifts. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving those things. In fact, Scripture tells us: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbour now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.’” (Proverbs 3:27–28 NLT). So this is not a message about purposely withholding practical help when someone genuinely needs it. Rather, I want us to recognise that there is more that we can give than material things. Sometimes we give people a temporary solution when God has placed something within us that could help address something much deeper. We put a bandaid on the wound instead of dealing with the root. So the question is: What do you have? What do you have that can solve the issues at the root instead of what is showcasing above the surface? Because you need to understand that you cannot give what you do not have.

Peter said, “What I have I give you.” He knew what he had. He knew that he did not have silver or gold, but he also knew that he had something far greater: the power and authority that came through Jesus Christ. As Christians, we have more than we realise. We have the Holy Spirit living within us. Romans 8:11 says: “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you…” The Holy Spirit gives us power. He gives us wisdom. He gives us discernment. He gives us the ability to pray, to encourage, to stand with people, to lead people towards God and to be used as an instrument in His hands. But if we don't recognise what we carry, how can we give it? If all we know how to give is ourselves, then eventually we will realise that ourselves is not enough.

There should be a time where we recognise what God has placed within us and say: “What I have, I give you.” Maybe what you have is wisdom. Maybe what you have is the ability to pray when someone else has no strength left to pray. Maybe what you have is encouragement. Maybe you have a testimony that someone else desperately needs to hear. Maybe you have knowledge that can help someone avoid a mistake you once made. Maybe God has given you influence. Maybe you have the ability to lead someone towards Christ. Or maybe you can simply stand beside someone in their darkest season and remind them, “God has not forgotten you.” What can you give? Because Christianity is not about selfish gain. We were not saved simply to enjoy salvation for ourselves. We were saved so that others might come to know Him. We have received freely, and therefore we should be willing to give freely.

So today, I want us to search our hearts. Not just, “What do I have in my bank account?” Not just, “What possessions do I have?” But: What has God placed inside of me? What has He taught me? What has He entrusted to me? What have I experienced that could help somebody else? What spiritual gifts has He given me? What can I give? Peter didn't give the man what he asked for. He gave him what he needed. And sometimes, God has placed something inside of us that somebody else needs, even when they don't know how to ask for it. So this is our declaration: This day, this week, this month, this year, we will give what we have. We will give our wisdom. We will give our prayers. We will give our encouragement. We will give our time. We will give our testimonies. We will give our gifts. We will give our love. And above all, we will give Jesus. Because what I have, I give you. So I ask you one more time: What do you have, aside from material things? Search your heart. Recognise what God has placed in you. And give. I pray the Lord continues to lead us in situations where we can freely give in Jesus name. God bless you.