What I do have I give you

"Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew (pretense) make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation" (Luke 20:45-47).

Many professing Christians today have been led astray by the prosperity gospel preachers who promise their followers health and wealth if they name it and claim it. But the only ones that seem to be benefiting from the prosperity theology are the ones propagating it and lining their pockets with the so called seed money their getting from their adherents. Why do the faith healers perform their so called healings on a stage? Why don't they go into a children's cancer ward and do some healing there? Because it's a show. When a lame man begged Peter for money just outside the temple Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). In this verse we learn three things about Peter. When learn that he wasn't rich. Secondly, Peter didnt need a stage. And lastly, Peter didn't take up an offering. Peter didnt get rich by exploiting or profitting from others in their times of need and desperation. "We live in a world filled with people who have incredible needs of all kinds, and we can relate to these needs in several ways. We can be blind to them and live our own lives, but then we wouldn't be living as Christians are supposed to live...Or we can take advantage of those needs to benefit ourselves. Yes, it's possible to be in ministry and use people to get what we want instead of helping people to get what they need. The Pharisees, for example, used the common people to build their own authority instead of using their authority to build the people (Matt. 23:1-2). If we aren't careful, we can minister in such a way that we exploit the needs of others to get ourselves recognition, position, titles, honors, and privileges. True servants of God help others whether they themselves get anything out of it or not. Their concern is only that God be glorified and people trust Christ...There was a time when Peter didn't say, "What I do have I give you" (Acts 3:6). He said, "See, we have left all and followed you. Therefore what shall we have?" (Matt. 19:27). Selfishness says, What will I get?" Service says, "What I have I'll give you" (Wiersbe, "On Being a Servant of God"). May we see the needs of others as opportunites to demonstrate the love of Christ and bring glory to his name.