2 Corinthians 12 - KJV & KBTP

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.

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be , or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

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.