Johani 17 - 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.

Jesu unozwitembezelela

1 Jesu kati aleba ikoku, kalinga pezhugwi ngono katembezela eti, “Tate, tjibaka tjazha. Kudzani Nkololo wenyu, kuti Nkololo na iye amukudze, 2 ngobe makampa simba pezhugwi kwe bathu bose kuti ndizo ape butjilo gusingapele kuna ibabo bose bamakampa. 3 Ogu ndigo butjilo gusingapele, kuti bazibe kuti ndimwi moga Ndzimu we malebeswa, bazibe na Jesu Kirisiti iye wamakatuma. 4 Ndakamukudza mu shango nge kuwidza nshingo wamakandipa. 5 Ngono ngwenu Tate, mundikudzeni kwamuyako nge kudziwa kwandakabe ndinako nditji namwi shango isathu ikabumbiwa.

Jesu unotembezelela Badiyiwa babe

6 “Ndakazibisa zina lenyu kuna ibabo bamakandipa mu shango ino. Bakabe bali benyu, makandipa ibo. Bakalondolodza dama lenyu. 7 Ngwenu banoziba kuti kose kwamakandipa kodwa kumuli; 8 ngobe ndakabapa matama amakandipa, ngono bakaamutjila. Bakaziba tjose, kuti ndakadwa kumuli, kakale banogalamoyo kuti makandituma.

9 “Ndobatembezelela; anditotembezelela shango, ndotembezelela ibabo bamakandipa, ngobe nge benyu. 10 Bose bandinabo nge benyu, na ibo bose bamunabo nge bangu, ngono ndakakudziwa nge kwabo. 11 Anditjowogala mu shango ino, koga ibo batjasala muili, imi ndozha kumuli Tate bakayengemala, mubavikile nge zina lenyu, ilo zina lamakandipa, kuti ndizo babe bang'ompela saswi tili bang'ompela. 12 Ndakati nditji nabo, ababakilila nge zina ileli lamakandipa. Ndakabatjengeta ngono, akuna wakalashika kuzhe kwa iye wakabe akalingisanyiwa ne kuti alobe, kuti ndizo matama e hwalo dze Ndzimu asiwile pasi. 13 Ngono ngwenu ndozha kumuli, koga ndoleba zwithu izwezwi nditjimu shango kuti ndizo babe ne kushatha kwangu mubali nge buzhalo. 14 Ndakabapa dama lenyu ngono shango ino ikababenga, ngobe ate bali be shango ino, sami ndisi we shango ino. 15 Anditokumbila kuti mubaduse mu shango, koga ndokumbila kuti mubavikile muna Mbi. 16 Ate bali be shango ino sami ndisi we shango ino. 17 Mubayengemadze mu malebeswa, dama lenyu li malebeswa. 18 Sekwa makandituma mu shango, nami ndakabatumabo mu shango. 19 Ndozwiyengemadza nge kwabo kuti ndizo na ibobo bayengemadziwe mu malebeswa.

7 Bible Verses About The Importance of Unity

Here are seven powerful Bible verses that highlight the importance of unity and the divine blessings that flow from it.

20 “Anditotembezelela ibaba koga, ndotembezelelabo na ibabo banowogalamoyo mundili nge dama labo. 21 Ndotembezela kuti bose babe bang'ompela. Samwi Tate, muli mundili, nami ndili mu muli, dzene na ibobo bangabe mutili, kuti ndizo shango igalemoyo kuti makandituma. 22 Ndakabapa gudzo ilo lamakandipa, kuti ndizo babe bang'ompela, saswi tili bang'ompela, 23 imi ndili mubali namwi muli mundili, kuti ndizo babe bang'ompela nge buzhalo ne shango izibe kuti makandituma, ngono mobada koga sekwa munondida.

24 “Tate! Makandipa ibo, ngono ndoshaka kuti babe nami kwandiyako, kuti babone gudzo langu, ilo gudzo lamakandipa, ngobe makandida shango ino isathu ikabumbiwa. 25 Tate bakalulwama, nenguba shango isingamuzibe, koga imi ndomuziba, na ibaba banoziba kuti makandituma. 26 Ndakabazibisa zina lenyu, ngono ndowodwilila ndithama kuti lizibgwe, kuti ndizo ludo gwamunondida ndigo gube mubali ne nge kuti nami ndibe mubali.”

Jesus Prays

1 After Jesus had finished speaking to his disciples, he looked up toward heaven and prayed:

Father, the time has come for you to bring glory to your Son, in order that he may bring glory to you. 2 And you gave him power over all people, so he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. 3 Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. 4 I have brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, give me back the glory I had with you before the world was created.

6 You have given me some followers from this world, and I have shown them what you are like. They were yours, but you gave them to me, and they have obeyed you. 7 They know that you gave me everything I have. 8 I told my followers what you told me, and they accepted it. They know I came from you, and they believe you are the one who sent me. 9 I am praying for them, but not for those who belong to this world. My followers belong to you, and I am praying for them. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine, and they will bring glory to me.

11 Holy Father, I am no longer in the world. I am coming to you, but my followers are still in the world. So keep them safe by the power of the name you have given me. Then they will be one with each other, just as you and I are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost, except the one who had to be lost. This happened so that what the Scriptures say would come true.

13 I am on my way to you. But I say these things while I am still in the world, so my followers will have the same complete joy that I do. 14 I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don't belong to this world, just as I don't.

15 Father, I don't ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don't belong to this world, and neither do I. 17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. 18 I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. 19 I have given myself completely for their sake, so they may belong completely to the truth.

20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

22 I have honored my followers in the same way you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so they may become completely one. Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.

24 Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. 25 Good Father, the people of this world don't know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.