Acts 3-5

Follow the Money… Twice

It's almost sad: The first gospel sermon has just been preached. Thousands have found eternal life. The church has begun its rapid spread through the city. And then the money problems start. Its funny how much power money has over us:

A lame man is in the presence of people who can actually deal with his problems. The news of the miracle of Pentecost must surely have been swirling around near the temple. But what does he ask Peter and John for: Money. When Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none…”, he must have turned up his nose like a pan-handler in the supermarket parking lot. Was he thinking “Sure you don’t have any money. You expect me to believe that?”

It’s only by grace that Peter doesn’t just pass this fellow by. But instead, Peter drops everyone’s jaws as he helps this man drop his crutches. His healing not only gets Peter and John arrested but it shows that the money this guy was begging for is what really counts. In many ways he’s just like us. This poor short-sighted beggar gets not what he asked for but what he really needed: Healing. Isn’t that us? We ask God for blessings and health and possessions when what he really wants to give us is healing from our past and hope for our present.

But this guy isn’t the only one following the money: Ananias and Sapphira disprove the notion that the first Christians were all perfect. Didn’t you used to think so? If we could just restore the church to its original ideal state – like it was right after Pentecost we’d have reached our goal. Unfortunately, the church then, like the church today, had issues with money. The first major problem and the first terrible loss came because of money.

It’s a strange contrast that today’s reading shows us two people who were following the money: A poor beggar who got more than he could have imagined and rich couple who lost all that really mattered. Surely there’s a lesson there for you and me today. Take your pick.

If you just follow the money, you might miss the even greater blessing that God has for you NEXT.


Jeff Walling
April 6