Article May 18, 1981 Issue

The coin of spiritual healing

JOHN E. CHEAL

On their way to the temple, Peter and John were stopped by a beggar, a man lame from birth. How did they respond to his appeal for help? Did they hurry on, ignoring him, afraid they might be late for prayer in the temple? Did they toss him a few coins, feeling they had done their humane duty? No. They stopped long enough to offer him the coin of spiritual healing.

"Silver and gold have I none," said Peter. "But such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."^{ Acts 3:6.} And the lame man leaped up immediately, gladly accepting the gift of spiritual dominion, and entered the temple with them, praising God.

What would silver and gold have done for the lame man? Provided some much-needed food, perhaps. Or more adequate shelter, for a time. It might even have allowed him to curtail his daily trips to the temple. But what would he do when the money ran out? He would have been back, begging again, still sitting outside God's temple.

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