Silver and Gold Part 2

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Last month, I heard a sermon on the same passage our pastor preached from in January. (See part 1 here for the January perspective.)

This time the emphasis was on the fact that Peter and John didn’t have what was asked of them. But that didn't mean that they had nothing to give. They gave from what they had, what Jesus had already given them.

Patronage Culture

Kenyan cultures, like much of the Global South, are patronage cultures. Society is divided into haves (patrons) and have-nots (clients). Patrons are responsible for financially providing for clients. The clients, in return, give small gifts, loyalty, and praise to their patrons. This predictably makes Christians from non-patronage cultures very uncomfortable. But it's hard for Christians from this type of culture, too.

People ask us for help all the time. Daily. Several times each day. The fatigue of always being asked is multiplied when, like Peter and John, you don’t have what is asked of you. And multiplied again when the ones asking cannot fathom the reality that you don’t have what they asked for and believe that you are either being mean to them or waiting for them to give you more gifts, loyalty, and/or praise.

It is a relief to know that even the apostles didn’t have what was asked but they were able to give from what Jesus had already given them. Like the first application, the hard part may be in identifying what it is that we can give. What has Jesus given us to prepare us for this moment?

The Gift Originates with God

The New Testament was written in a patronage culture. In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul brings up some points that can help us think about this.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

—2 Corinthians 9:8-10

God provides what we have. He has given us something already. God provided for the Corinthian church, who then helped Paul with his financial needs. Giving from what they had received, Peter and John gave the healing of Jesus to the lame man.

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

—2 Corinthians 9:11-15

“Thanks to God.” “Praise God.” “God has given.” God is the true patron. This is why Christians can become uncomfortable when we are honored as patrons. The praise and loyalty should not be given to us, but to God, from whom the gift originated.

Now, how do we apply this to our interactions with the community? How do we identify what God has given us that we can give when we don't have what was asked of us? How do we determine whether the person asking actually needs anything from us at all? And how do we deal with that? The answers are not easy.