[W]ho, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter 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 3:3-6 NKJV

Peter was the apostle who would take the initiative to act. John was the apostle of love. Peter and John ministering to the lame man together is a picture of love in action. God is love and the quintessential expression of love is giving, i.e., giving your spiritual gifts, time, talent, and treasure, etc. And, when you give, God gives back to you (Luke 6:38).

God took everything that you’ll ever need and put it inside of you (Rom. 8:32). In order to get these things out of you and experience them, you have to be one who is walking in love and a giver (1 John 3:17).  Although Peter and John didn’t have money to give to the beggar, they had enough love of God to work a miracle in the name of Jesus Christ. Love always looks for an opportunity to give—not make excuses; and, when you give, you demonstrate to the world that you are a son of your heavenly Father. It is so convenient to label some as your “enemy”. But you’ll never feel that spiritual connection to God until you open your heart and let love flow from you to them (Matt. 5:43-46).

God has fixed the kingdom of God here on earth so that the only way you can rightly function is to walk in love (Gal. 5:6). The challenge for the believer is not having enough faith, but rather having enough love. We, in the church, have been waiting for things to come to us and feeling like impoverished beggars when we don’t see it happening. But if you haven’t sent anything out, why are you expecting something to come in? (See Eccles. 11:1). When you give forgiveness, love, compassion, and truly desire others’ best . . . get ready for the “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” blessing (Luke 6:38). When you put love in action, the Holy Spirit affirms inside you that you are a child of God; you belong to God; and, you are one with God—a believer and not a beggar!