2 Bakorinta 12 - KBTP & CEVUS06

In a world that often values splendour and abundance, the Bible reminds us that even the smallest gifts can have a profound impact. God’s kingdom operates differently from the world’s standards, showing us that it is not the size of the gift that matters, but the heart behind it. Here are seven Bible verses that illustrate the transformative power of small yet significant acts of giving.

1. The Widow’s Offering

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)

The widow’s two small coins seemed insignificant compared to the large sums others gave, yet Jesus celebrated her gift because it came from her heart and her trust in God. Despite her poverty, she gave all she had, demonstrating an unwavering faith in God’s provision. This story teaches us that the value of a gift is not measured by its size but by the sacrifice and faith it represents. Her act challenges us to consider what we’re willing to give, even when it feels like we have little to offer.

2. The Boy with Loaves and Fish

“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9)

A young boy offered his small and inadequate lunch to Jesus, and it became the catalyst for one of the greatest miracles, feeding over five thousand people. His offering was small and ordinary, yet in Jesus’ hands, it became extraordinary. This story reminds us that God can take what little we have and multiply it beyond our imagination when we give with an open heart. The boy’s willingness to share what he had shows us the importance of trusting God to use our contributions for His glory.

3. A Cup of Water

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

A simple act of kindness, like offering water, does not go unnoticed in God’s eyes. Jesus emphasizes that even the smallest gesture, done with love and for His sake, carries eternal significance. Small gestures of kindness can make a significant difference in someone’s life and are cherished by God. This verse inspires us to recognize the value of everyday acts of kindness and how they reflect God’s love to those around us.

4. Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

This verse reminds us that even the smallest contributions, when paired with faith, can achieve monumental results. Just as a mustard seed grows into a mighty tree, small acts of giving can create ripples of change. It’s not about the magnitude of what we bring, but the faith with which we bring it. When we trust God, even the smallest step can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

5. The Generosity of the Macedonians

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (2 Corinthians 8:2)

The Macedonian believers gave generously despite their poverty, demonstrating that generosity is not about wealth but about a willing heart. Their joy in giving came not from abundance but from their love for God and others. They saw giving as a privilege rather than a burden. Their example encourages us to give cheerfully, no matter our circumstances, trusting that our contributions, however small, can make a meaningful difference.

6. The Woman Who Anointed Jesus

“She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” (Mark 14:8)

The woman who anointed Jesus with perfume gave what she had, and her act of devotion was celebrated by Jesus. Though her gift may have seemed small in the world’s eyes, it carried eternal significance. Her act of love and sacrifice demonstrates that giving is not always about meeting physical needs but can also be an expression of worship and honor. This story challenges us to consider how our gifts reflect our love for Christ.

7. The Power of Partnership

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4)

This verse highlights the collective power of small contributions. The Macedonians gave beyond their ability, showing that sacrificial giving often comes from a deep desire to serve. When we come together to give, even small gifts can combine to create a big impact, supporting God’s work in powerful ways. Their story reminds us that generosity is not limited by our resources but by the willingness of our hearts.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches us that small gifts, when given with a pure heart and faith, can have a big impact. Whether it’s a widow’s coins, a boy’s lunch, or a cup of water, God sees and honors every act of generosity. These stories remind us that in God’s hands, no gift is too small. This Christmas, let’s be inspired to give what we have—no matter how small—and trust that God will use it for His glory and the good of others. Even the smallest gift can be a seed for miracles in God’s hands.

Mbono ne kudziyidzika kwa Paulo

1 Ndakafanila ndizwikudze, nenguba kusingabuzile tjimwe. Koga ngwenu ndowoleba ngekwe mbono nenge zumbunulo dza She. 2 Ndoziba mmwe nlume muna Kirisiti iye wakati makole ali gumi lina manna (14) akapinda, kadzamuligwa kudzimu kwe butatu, kene kuti kwakashingikala kene yakabe ili mbono koga anditoziba, koziba Ndzimu. 3 Ngono ndoziba kuti nlume iwoyu kene wakabe ali mu mbili kene kuzhe kwe mbili anditoziba, koziba Ndzimu, 4 wakadzamuligwa ku Paradaisi ngono kahwa zwithu zwisingalebgwe, zwithu zwisingadumigwe nthu kuti azwilebe. 5 Ndowozwikudza ngekwa iwoyu nlume, koga nge kwangu anditowozwikudza, kuzhe kwe kuzwikudza ngekwe kusasima kwangu. 6 Ha kuli kuti ndoshaka kuzwikudza, ndowobe ndisi tjilengwe, ngobe ndowobe ndileba malebeswa. Koga ndozwidziba mu kuzwikudza, kuti ndizo kusibe ne mmwe unondikumbulila kupinda tjaanobona mundili kene tjaanohwa tjidwa mundili.

7 Ngono kundidziba kuti ndisizhale mazwikudzo ngekwe zumbunulo dzandakabona hwulu kupindisa, ndakalongwa mihwa mu nyama yangu, iye ntumwa wa Satani kundidziyidza kuti ndizo ndisizwikudze. 8 Katatu kose ndakakumbila She ngekwa ikoku, kuti kubhude mundili, 9 koga She wakati kundili, “Ngoni dzangu dzakakulizana, ngobe simba langu lozhadzisika mu kusasima kuko.” Ndowozwikudza kwazo ndakashatha mu kusasima kwangu, kuti simba la Kirisiti libe mundili. 10 Ndizo ngekwa Kirisiti ndoamutjila nge kushatha kusasima ne masapa ne zogwadza ne kudziyidziwa ne dzimanikano, ngobe pandisakasima, ipapo ndakasima.

Paulo unoyitila hanya Bakorinta

11 Ndakabe tjilengwe! Makandikombeledza kube itjo, kwakajalo ndabe ndakafanila kudziwa ndimwi. Ate ndili ntukunu pana ibabo batumwa banoyi bakulukulu, nenguba imi ndisi tjimwe. 12 Zwilakidzo zwe ntumwa wa Jesu wakwako zwakashingwa pakati kwenyu nge moyonlefu, nge zwilakidzo ne matjenamiso ne mishingo mikulu. 13 Makabhakhwa nge zila ipi inogwadza kupinda makubungano mamwe kene, kuzhe kwe kuti imi nge kwangu andizobe ntolo kumuli? Mundizwiibhatigwe nlandu iwoyu!

14 Ndakazwilulwamisila kumukumba gwe butatu ngwenu. Koga anditowobe ntolo kumuli, ngobe anditoshaka tjimwe tjenyu, koga ndoshaka imwi. Ngobe bana ate ili ibo banobiganyidzila bazwadzi, koga bazwadzi ndibo banobiganyidzila bana babo. 15 Ndowoshatha kwazo kushingisa tjandinatjo, azwipila na kose kwandili iko. Apa ha ndimuda kwazo imwi mowondida kutukununu kene?

16 Ngatitini ndakabe ndisi ntolo kumuli. Koga mmwe unowoti ndakabe ndili tjakwani, ngono amuteya nge butjakwani. 17 Apa ndakashaba ndimwi nge mmwe wa ibabo bandakatuma kumuli kene? 18 Ndakakulumbidza Tito kuzha kumuli, ngono antuma ne tjimwe ikamu. Apa Tito wakashaba ndimwi kene? Apa atizozwibhata nge meya dzinofanana kene? Apa atizotola thambo dzinofanana kene?

19 Apa mabe mualakana tjibaka tjose kuti takabe tizwivikilila mbeli kwenyu kene? Tabe tilebeleka muna Kirisiti mbeli kwe Ndzimu, ngono kose kuli kumubaka, badiwa bangu. 20 Ndotja kuti pamwe ndowozha ndiwana muli bapoga musi tjandinoyemula kuti mube itjo, namwi mukawana ndili upoga ndisi tjamunoyemula kuti ndibe ndili itjo. Ndotja kuti ndowowana kukakabadzana ne fupa ne bushongola ne kuzwikumbula ne kutjinyana mazina ne bung'wa, kuzwida ne kusayendidzana. 21 Ndotja kuti pandinowozha kakale Ndzimu wangu unowondiyisa pasi mbeli kwenyu, ngono ndowozwiwana ndililila banjinji bakatjinya mu misi yakapinda koga bakasishandukile matjinyo abo e kuwalilana thobo kunobhatisa shoni ne kuwalilana thobo kusakalingisana ne njemulo dzisakanaka dzekuwalilana thobo.

Visions from the Lord

1 I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me. 2 I know about one of Christ's followers who was taken up into the third heaven 14 years ago. I don't know if the man was still in his body when it happened, but God certainly knows.

3 As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the time. 4 But he was taken up into paradise, where he heard things too wonderful to tell. 5 I will brag about that man, but not about myself, except to say how weak I am.

6 Yet even if I did brag, I would not be foolish. I would simply be speaking the truth. But I will try not to say too much. That way, none of you will think more highly of me than you should because of what you have seen me do and say. 7 Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan's angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud.

8 Three times I begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. 9 But he replied, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. 10 Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.

Paul's Concern for the Lord's Followers at Corinth

11 I have been making a fool of myself. But you forced me to do it, when you should have been speaking up for me. I may be nothing at all, but I am as good as those super apostles. 12 When I was with you, I was patient and worked all the powerful miracles and signs and wonders of a true apostle. 13 You missed out on only one blessing the other churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me for doing you wrong.

14 I am planning to visit you for the third time. But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you, and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. 15 So I will gladly give all I have and all I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much? 16 You agree that I wasn't a burden to you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and trick you. 17 Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did.

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? Actually, we have been speaking to God as followers of Christ. But, my friends, we did it all for your good.

20 I am afraid when I come, we won't be pleased with each other. I fear that some of you may be arguing or jealous or angry or selfish or gossiping or insulting each other. I even fear that you may be proud and acting like a mob. 21 I am afraid God will make me ashamed when I visit you again. I will feel like crying because many of you have never given up your old sins. You are still doing things that are immoral, indecent, and shameful.