2 Bakorinta 12 - KBTP & GNTD

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.

Paul's Visions and Revelations

1 I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord. 2 I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision—only God knows). 3-4 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision—only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. 5 So I will boast about this man—but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say.

7 But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. 8 Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. 9 But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. 10 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul's Concern for the Corinthians

11 I am acting like a fool—but you have made me do it. You are the ones who ought to show your approval of me. For even if I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to those very special “apostles” of yours. 12 The many miracles and wonders that prove that I am an apostle were performed among you with much patience. 13 How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair!

14 This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you—and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children. 15 I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much?

16 You will agree, then, that I was not a burden to you. But someone will say that I was tricky, and trapped you with lies. 17 How? Did I take advantage of you through any of the messengers I sent? 18 I begged Titus to go, and I sent the other believer with him. Would you say that Titus took advantage of you? Do not he and I act from the very same motives and behave in the same way?

19 Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you. 20 I am afraid that when I get there I will find you different from what I would like you to be and you will find me different from what you would like me to be. I am afraid that I will find quarreling and jealousy, hot tempers and selfishness, insults and gossip, pride and disorder. 21 I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the immoral things they have done—their lust and their sexual sins.