Faith & Purpose Today

A Daily Devotional By Larry

You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have

November 20th, 2025.

Acts 3:6 (NIV) – “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’”

One of the most powerful truths in ministry is this: you can’t give what you don’t have. Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from birth, begging for money at the temple gate. But Peter didn’t offer him coins—he offered him Christ. “What I do have I give you,” he said, and with that, a miracle was released.

This moment reveals something essential about spiritual service. You cannot serve your generation effectively unless you are spiritually equipped. You can’t impart healing, wisdom, or revelation if you haven’t received it yourself. Ministry is not performance—it’s overflow. It’s the outpouring of what you’ve cultivated in the secret place.

This is why 1 Corinthians 2:11–14 emphasizes that only a spiritual person can understand and operate in the things of the Spirit. The carnal mind cannot grasp spiritual truths. They seem foolish to him. But the spiritual man discerns, understands, and moves in alignment with God’s will.

If you’re called to do spiritual work, you must be spiritually full. You must be saturated with the Word, anchored in prayer, and led by the Holy Spirit. You can’t fake spiritual authority. You must carry it. And that comes from intimacy with God.

This is also why James 4:4 warns against friendship with the world. You cannot be entangled with worldly values and expect to be effective in God’s hands. The world promotes self-preservation, comfort, and compromise. The Spirit calls us to surrender, sacrifice, and sanctification.

Peter didn’t give what was popular—he gave what was powerful. He didn’t offer what the man wanted—he offered what the man needed. And that’s what spiritual people do. They release heaven’s agenda, not human solutions.

So ask yourself: what do you have to give? Are you spiritually full or spiritually dry? Are you carrying revelation, anointing, and discernment—or are you running on empty? The call to serve your generation is not just about showing up—it’s about showing up filled.

You’ve been called to do spiritual work. That means you must be spiritual. You must cultivate a life that is rich in God’s presence, deep in His Word, and sensitive to His voice. Because when the moment comes, you won’t have time to prepare—you’ll have to pour.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be spiritually full. Help me to cultivate a life of intimacy with You. Fill me with Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your power. Let me carry what my generation needs. Make me a vessel of healing, truth, and transformation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Question

What are you currently carrying in your spirit—and is it enough to serve the needs of your generation?

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