This is what I've come up for today's Sabbath. I decided to write a message because I couldn't go

to church for some reason. This message I wrote is not exactly what I have planned. I was supposed to

insert animation and clips but I lacked time. The plan was to insert animation for the purpose of allowing

readers to participate while they are reading and to let them think. I shall continue this plan soon when I

have more time to do it.

The Gift of Giving

Giving is a gift.

Anybody can give regardless

of background, age, race, and

gender. But what makes it a

gift? Is it the chocolates,

flowers, the diamond ring, or

the coveted car, house, we

give to our loved ones? The

amount of money we give for

charities, to the old man

begging alms on the streets in

our country or to the woman

nursing her child, both

obviously in need of food and bath. What makes it special then? Is it the object or the thought, the

intentions which spurred giving?

Let’s dig in our Bible’s and discover together the answer to my question.

Go to Mark 12: 41-43, with me, I’ll be reading in the New International version.

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their

money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came

and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the

treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in

everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12: 41-43).

There were two givers in the story—the rich people and the poor widow. Both went into the

temple and both gave into the temple treasury. The crowd of rich people put in lots and lots of money.

And when the widow’s turn came, because she was very poor she had only two measly copper coins,

hardly worth much at that time.

Noticed who from those two givers Jesus commended? Was it the rich crowd of givers or the

poor widow? Let us remember both gave their money. But why is it that Jesus after calling the disciples’

attention, told them the poor widow’s contribution was greater than the rich offerings thrown in the

temple treasury by the rich crowd?

“But she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” SHE GAVE EVERYTHING.

Those two very small copper coins was the only money she had and yet she didn’t hesitate to give, not

one but how many? How many? ALL OF IT! She could have given one and kept the other saving it to buy

food or perhaps bread. But she didn’t. Giving as per the widow’s example demands sacrifice. Anyone

can give but not everyone gives with sacrifice. The rich crowd gave a large amount of money. Did it

produce some sacrificing on their part? Nada. They gave out of the abundance that they had. It would

hardly hurt their pockets even after giving into the temple treasury.

Why does sacrifice turn giving into a gift? Because for every little sacrifice we give, it teaches us

to dig deeper into our pockets more, and more; open our palms more and more; root out selfishness,

ego, and pride, until such time we learn to become cheerful givers. Until such time giving becomes

second nature to us. Not to be rewarded or worse earn the applause of men because we know giving in

and of itself, is the reward.

Jesus gave up his life for you and me. He loves us so much that he gave himself as a sacrifice to

this world. Yes, my brothers and sisters in faith, at the very heart of giving is sacrifice. How much are you

willing to sacrifice?

Happy Sabbath sa akong pamilya sa Cagayan de oro, sa akong asawa Roxanne kabalo naka nga Lab na

Lab jud tika ug maau nga akong dalan naa rajud sa imoha. Sa akong anak Aisha get well soon baby. Sa

akong mga amigo NMC Church Kofi Tum amping pirmi diha ug sa JSDAO Pipol labi na sa nag silibret

hapi birthday kay Kuya Rene Ampong.