Acts 1 - CEVUS06 & MB

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Giving is a powerful act that reflects the heart of God and His desire for us to live generously. Throughout the Bible, we find numerous teachings that emphasize the importance and impact of giving. Whether it’s through offering our time, resources, or love, the act of giving not only blesses others but also enriches our own lives. Here are seven Bible verses that highlight the power of giving and encourage us to embrace a life of generosity.

1. Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When we give to others, especially those in need, we are not only helping them but also experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes from generosity. It reminds us that true happiness is found in selflessness.

2. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

The emphasis on giving cheerfully reminds us that our attitude matters. God values a heart that gives freely and joyfully, knowing that our contributions can lead to abundant blessings.

3. Proverbs 11:25 “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Generosity is not just about meeting the needs of others; it also brings personal renewal and prosperity. When we give, we often receive in return, not necessarily in material wealth, but in spiritual and emotional well-being. The act of giving refreshes both the giver and the recipient.

4. Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Jesus emphasizes the abundance that comes from giving. The imagery of a generous measure being returned to us illustrates that our giving will not go unnoticed or unrewarded. When we give with an open heart, we can expect God’s blessings to overflow in our lives.

5. Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

We should give quietly and humbly, without seeking recognition or praise. The focus is on the sincerity and purity of our giving. God sees our acts of kindness, even when they are done in secret, and He will reward us accordingly. It reminds us that true giving is done for the benefit of others, not for personal glory.

6. Hebrews 13:16 “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Sharing what we have with others is a sacrifice that pleases God. This verse highlights the importance of being mindful of others’ needs and taking action to meet them. It serves as a reminder that our acts of generosity are not just good deeds; they are expressions of our faith and love for God.

7. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

All we have comes from God. Recognizing that every gift we receive is from Him encourages us to be generous in sharing those gifts with others. When we give, we are participating in God’s work, distributing His blessings to those around us.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches that giving is a powerful way to express our faith, love, and gratitude. These verses reveal that generosity not only impacts those we help but also enriches our own lives, bringing us closer to God and His purposes. Whether through our resources, time, or compassion, giving allows us to reflect God’s love in a tangible way, creating a ripple effect of blessings that extend far beyond what we can see. By embracing a spirit of generosity, we open ourselves up to experience the fullness of life that God desires for us.

1 Theophilus, I first wrote to you about all that Jesus did and taught from the very first 2 until he was taken up to heaven. But before he was taken up, he gave orders to the apostles he had chosen with the help of the Holy Spirit.

3 For 40 days after Jesus had suffered and died, he proved in many ways that he had been raised from death. He appeared to his apostles and spoke to them about God's kingdom. 4 While he was still with them, he said:

Don't leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do. 5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Is Taken to Heaven

6 While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?”

7 Jesus said to them, “You don't need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, 10 but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky.

Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. 11 They said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way you have seen him go.”

Someone To Take the Place of Judas

12-13 The Mount of Olives was about a kilometer from Jerusalem. The apostles who had gone there were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon, known as the Eager One, and Judas the son of James.

After the apostles returned to the city, they went upstairs to the room where they had been staying.

14 The apostles often met together and prayed with a single purpose in mind. The women and Mary the mother of Jesus would meet with them, and so would his brothers. 15 One day there were about 120 of the Lord's followers meeting together, and Peter stood up to speak to them. 16-17 He said:

My friends, long ago by the power of the Holy Spirit, David said something about Judas, and what he said has now happened. Judas was one of us and had worked with us, but he brought the mob to arrest Jesus. 18 Then Judas bought some land with the money he was given for doing that evil thing. He fell headfirst into the field. His body burst open, and all his insides came out. 19 When the people of Jerusalem found out about this, they called the place Akeldama, which in the local language means “Field of Blood.”

20 In the book of Psalms it says,

“Leave his house empty,

and don't let anyone

live there.”

It also says,

“Let someone else

have his job.”

21-22 So we need someone else to help us tell others that Jesus has been raised from death. He must also be one of the men who was with us from the very beginning. He must have been with us from the time the Lord Jesus was baptized by John until the day he was taken to heaven.

23 Two men were suggested: One of them was Joseph Barsabbas, known as Justus, and the other was Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed, “Lord, you know what everyone is like! Show us the one you have chosen 25 to be an apostle and to serve in place of Judas, who got what he deserved.” 26 They drew names, and Matthias was chosen to join the group of the eleven apostles.

1 Ku Teopila:

Buku käti maro ya megyi tase cini Yesu koyebe ago kembabe tana te ṛoni tuse nda keto losi ndaro be si 2 madale tuse Lu ru Yesu te vo'buyakuru ya si. Teinye nda uru ako kuru, nda ozo ota te mbara Tori Alokado rosi lidri se nda konjibe lazo'bai ndaro ro ana ri. 3 Odra ndaro vosi, u'duna 'butesu nda ka'darute ànyari perena amba liti se ka'da tate ànyari endaro anjioko nda adrite. Ànya ndre nda te, ago nda atate ànya yibe ta Miri 'Bädri'ba Lu ro rota. 4 Ago ondro ànya kikyite voaloya oko, nda ozo ota ono te ànyari ekye: “Nyè'be Yerusalema ko, oko nyòkote ŋgapäṛi se miti tana be ämiri, ŋgapäṛi se Täpi maro ko'ba tana be 'do. 5 Yoane bapatisi 'di te gyi si, oko u'du fere si oko abapatisina ami 'da Tori Alokado si.”

Ogo Yesu ro Vo'buyakuru ya

6 Ondro Lazo'bai kotoyikalate Yesu be oko, ànya ejiyi nda te ekye: “Opi, tu ono si ono migo nyologona Miri 'Bädri'ba ro gi'da Yisaraele riya?”

7 Yesu atate ànyari ekye: “Tunai ndi a'donai be arate drikaca Täpi maro modona rosi, ago ko ämiri unine kode ànya ka a'do itu. 8 Oko ondro Tori Alokado kikyite ämidri oko, nyà'dona 'da twi mbara be, ago nyà'dona 'da tazevoedre'bai maro Yerusalema ya, Yuda cini yasi ndi Samaria be, ago le ädu 'bädri roya.”

9 Ata ono vosi, äru nda te vo'buyakuru ya, ànya uguyi nda ondre te oyivoya ago 'dikolo da'do nda teni ondrevoya ànyari.

10 Ànya riyite 'du vo ondrene kuru ondro nda kate ugu oyi owo, ago ndriŋwa oko lidri ritu boŋgo onjero be edreyite ànya re 11 ago atayite ekye: “Galilaya'bai, nyèdre nyà ugu voondre vokuru ya etaya? Yesu se ärube ni ami resi vo'buyakuru ya ono, egona kpa oso mìndre nda be oyivoya vo'buyakuru ya 'do ronye.”

Vo Yuda ro

12 'Dooko lazo'bai goyite kovole Yerusalema ya ni 'Bereŋwa Ice Idoro ro drisi, se ozona oso jä'dijä'dina alo ni 'bakici yasi. 13 Ànya ciyite 'bakici ya ago tuyite kuru zoya se ànya kayiugu ori be kigye ana ya! Petero, Yoane, Yakoba, ago Andarea, Filipo ago Toma, Batolimayo ago Matayo, Yakoba ŋgwa Alepayo ro, Simona se äzite 'bädri iro lu'ba ago Yuda ŋgwa Yakoba ro. 14 Ànya otoyikalate ondoalo voaloya mätune, troalo 'ditoko be ago Maria endre Yesu ro ndi ädrupii ndaro be.

15 Ago u'du fere vosi oko kalakoto taoma'bai ro a'dote, ànya cini orivoya oso kama alo 'buteritu (120) ronye, ago Petero edrete kuru ta atane. 16 Nda atate ekye: “Ädrupii maro, taegyi a'dote endaro se Tori Alokado katabe Dawidi si, äŋgu tana teṛo kyeno ta Yuda rota, se lepe ànya se kuru Yesu te kai ni. 17 Yuda ni alo aza gboko amaro ro, tana anji nda te losi oyene ama yibe.”

18 (Parata se Yuda kurube taoye undiro ndaro tana ro ana nda gye ämvu te sina, 'dooko e'dete ṛi; nda lehwete ago ici cini yasi i'durute tesi. 19 Lidri se cini koribe Yerusalema ya eriyi tana te, ago kala ànyaro modona si ànya ziyi ämvu ana te Akeledama, takacina anjioko “Ämvu Kari ro.”)

20 “Tana egyi tate buku Räṛu roya ekye:

‘Ka'do inye zo ndaro yana ka'do awi;

'diaza kori ko kigye.’

Egyi ta kpate ekye:

‘Ka'do inye 'diaza tona kuru vo ruindu ndaro ro.’

21 “Ka'do inye, beṛo 'diaza se ni gboko amaro yasi onjine, se a'do teṛo ama yibe tuse cini Opi Yesu abate ama yibe si, 22 eto ṛoni tuse Yoane pe lazo ndaro bapatisi rote si madale tuse äru Yesu teni ama resi le vo'buyakuru ya si. Alo 'di kwoi ro ri a'done tazevoedre'ba ro ama yibe ta eforo Opi Yesu rota.”

23 Ago ànya usu ta lidri ritu rote; Yosepa se äzite Baresaba (äzi kpate Yusetu), ago Matio. 24 'Dooko ànya mätuyite ekye: “Opi, mini ya 'dicini rote, ni 'di ritu kwoi lakosi se minjibe nyaka'da ämäri, 25 ruindune lazo'ba ro vo Yuda roya, vose nda e'bete ana ago oyite vose ndäri a'done kigye ya.” 26 'Dooko ànya voyi vodo te ŋgaonji oyeza lakole lidri ritu roya, ago anji Matio te, se olocite gboko lazo'bai 'butealo foalo roya.