Losi Lazo'bai ro 9

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.

Saulo A'dote Kristo'ba ro

(Losi Lazo'bai ro 22:6-16Losi 26:12-18)

1 Tu gi ono si Saulo ugu kyila ndaro ozi 'diufu ro onyana te oso'bai Opi vo lomvo. Nda oyite Kohani Fopara re, 2 ago ejitate taegyi 'dika'daro ta zoitaeriro Damaseka ya ri, tana ondro nda kusu oso'bai Liti Opi ro vo te oko, nda ka'do robe mbara be ànya urune, mànoago ndi 'ditoko be, ago kezi ànya robe kovole Yerusalema ya. 3 Ondro Saulo kate esa loto 'bakici Damaseka ro lomvo oko dori ŋgaeyi ni vokuru yasi lekote gbikyi nda lomvosi. 4 Nda 'dete gyinidri ago eri atate kugu ata nda ri ekye: “Saulo, Saulo! Nya ma eza etaya?”

5 Nda ejitate ekye: “Mi a'di owo ya, Opi?” Nda atate ekye: “Ma Yesu, se nyabe ezana ono owo. 6 Oko miŋga kuru ago nyoyi 'bakici ya, ago itina tase beṛo oyene miri 'da lau.” 7 Lidri se kayi ugu aba Saulo be edreyite, atayi ta kote; ànya eriyi ata te oko niyi kote 'dina 'do ondrene. 8 Saulo ŋgate kuru ni gyini drisi ago pi mi ndaro te, oko ni kote ŋga ondrene. Ago ànya ruyi nda te drí si ago lepeyi nda te Damaseka ya. 9 Nda rite u'duna nätu voondreako, ago tu gi ana si nda nya ago mvu ŋga aza kote.

10 Oso'ba aza Yesu vo orivoya Damaseka ya äzite Anania. Nda ndre rulofo te, se Opi atate ndäri ekye: “Anania!”

Nda zatadrite ekye: “Ma begi ono, Opi.” 11 Opi atate ndäri ekye: “Miŋga ago nyoyi liti se äzi ävuruna Ŋgyero ana drisi, ago zo Yuda ro ya nyeji ta mano aza ni Taresusi yasi äzite Saulo rota. Nda kugu mätu, 12 ago rulofo ya nda ndre mano aza äzite Anania ka eci ago 'ba drí ndaro te nda dri tana nda kogo kondrevo robe.”

13 Anania zatadrite ekye: “Opi, lidri amba ititate märi ta mano ono rota ndi ŋgase cini koziro nda koyebe lidri miro ri Yerusalema ya robe. 14 Ago nda ikyite Damaseka ya drikaca be ni kohanii 'desi resi 'dise cini kabe mi mätu urune.”

15 Opi atate ndäri ekye: “Nyoyi, tana manji nda te ruindune märi, ävuru maro o'bane unine atrai ndi 'bädri'bai ndi lidri Yisaraele robe ri. 16 Ago andivo maro maka'dana ta 'da ndäri anjioko beṛo ndäri ruezane ta maro ta.”

17 Ago Anania oyite, cite zo se Saulo be kigye ana ya, ago 'ba drí ndaro te nda dri, nda atate ekye: “Ädrupi Saulo, Opi Yesu andivona, se ka'darube miri liti dri ikyivoya noŋwa ono ezo ma ni. Nda ezo ma te tana migo mindrevo robe ago nya'do robe twi Tori Alokado be.” 18 Dori ŋga aza laba oso kyiri kä'bägä ti'bi ro ronye e'dete ni mi Saulo ro yasi, ago nda go ndrevote. Nda ŋgate kuru ago abapatisi nda te; 19 ago ŋgaonya onya ndaro vosi oko, mbara ndaro go egote.

Taope Saulo ro Damaseka ya

Saulo rite u'duna fere Taoma'bai Damaseka ya be. 20 Nda oyite dori zoitaeriro ya ago eto taope te ekye Yesu orivoya Ŋgwa Lu ro.

21 'Dise cini keriyi ta ndaro be laroyite ago ejiyitate ekye: “Inye'do nda ṛo ko ni se Yerusalema ya kabe ànya se kabe mano se Yesu ono mätuna ugu tufuna owo ya? Ago nda ikyi ṛo ko noŋwa ta ono ro ugu lidri se kai urune kamba'bai ro ago ànya logone kohanii 'desi re ya?”

22 Oko taope Saulo ro a'dote mbara be ndra, ago nda ka'date ekye Yesu orivoya Mesiya owo ago 'ba Yudai se koribe Damaseka ya te orine titiro ago niyi kote tadri ndaro ozane. 23 U'du amba lävuna vosi oko, Yudai otoyikalate voaloya, ago rayitate Saulo ufune, 24 oko tavoora ànyaro iti tana te ndäri. Kitu ndi ŋgäkyi be si ànya kwayi dereŋwà 'bakici rote tana äfu nda robe. 25 Oko ŋgäkyi alo aza si oso'bai Saulo vo ruyi nda te ago e'bayi nda te vuru koṛiga si vouŋbo tiṛi ro yasi.

Saulo Yerusalema ya

26 Saulo oyite Yerusalema ya ago ojote rudro'bene taeri'bai be. Oko ànya leko taomane ekye nda orivoya taeri'ba yi ago ànya cini te orivoya turituri ro ni ndäri. 27 'Dooko Baranaba ikyite nda opane ago ugu nda te lazo'bai re, nda edre tase Saulo ndre Opi te liti dri ago Opi atate ndäri ana tana te ànyari. Nda iti tase Saulo petate turiako si Damaseka ya ävuru Yesu ro ya ana tana kpate ànyari. 28 Ago 'dooko Saulo rite ànya be ago oyite gbikyi Yerusalema yasi, ugu taope te turiako ävuru Opi roya. 29 Nda atate ago diṛikalate Yudai se kabe ugu Giriki ata ana be, oko ànya ojoyite nda ufune. 30 Ondro taoma'bai kusuyi tase ono tana te oko, ànya uguyi Saulo te Kaisaria ya ago zoyi nda te le Taresusi ya.

31 Ago 'dooko Känisa Yuda ya, Galilaya ya, ndi Samaria ya be a'dote liatokpe. Ŋgaopa Tori Alokado rosi otombate ago otina litite amba, ago rite taoro si Opi ri.

Petero Oyite Luda ndi Yopa be ya

32 Petero abate vo cini yasi, ago tu alo aza si nda oyite lidri Lu ro se rite Luda ya täkyine. 33 Ago lau nda ta mano aza äzite Aenea, se orivoya ciṛiciṛiro ago a'dote mbaraako oŋgane ni kitapara drisi ndroa na te njidriena. 34 Petero atate ndäri ekye: “Aenea, Yesu Kristo ka mi ede. Miŋga kuru nyede kitapara miro.” Dori Aenea ŋgate kuru. 35 Lidri cini se kabe ugu ori Luda ya ndi Saroma ya be ndreyi nda te, ago ànya etayidrite Opi re.

36 Yopa ya lau toko aza äzite Tabita, se orivoya taoma'ba yi. (Ävuru anyaro Giriki si ni Doroka, takacina anjioko kaliŋga.) Anya ozo tu cini anyaro te ugu takado oyevoya ndi ugu ati'ba opa be. 37 Tu gi ana si anya a'dote adravo ro ndi drate. Alasa avo anyaro te ago alalate zo kurusi ya. 38 Yopa ko lozo ni Luda lomvosi, ondro taoma'bai se Yopa ya keriyite ekye Petero orivoya Luda ya oko, ànya zoyi lidri ritu te nda re lazo be ekye: “Rägu nyikyi ndrindri amare.” 39 Ago Petero ŋgate ago oyite ànya yibe. Ondro nda kesate oko, ugu nda te zo kurusi ya, ävuzii cini otokalate nda lomvo lau, kayi ugu liyi ago ka'dayi boŋgoi osoro ndi dhudhui se Doroka ko'dibe 'dooko anya dri lidriidriro ana te ndäri. 40 Petero lofo ànya cini te tesi ni zo yasi, ago sokayate vuru ndi mätute; 'dooko nda zarute avo re ago atate ekye: “Tabita, miŋga kuru!” Anya pi mi anyaro te, ago ondro kondre Petero te oko, anya rite kurusi. 41 Petero ru drí anyaro te ago pa anya te oŋgane kuru. 'Dooko nda zi taoma'bai cini te, tro ävuzii be, ago ozo anya te lidriidriro ànyari. 42 Lazo ta ono ro larirute Yopa cini yasi, ago lidri amba matate Opi ya. 43 Petero rite Yopa ya u'duna amba kyiniede'ba se äzibe Simona ana be.

The Conversion of Saul

(Acts 22.6-16Acts 26.12-18)

1 In the meantime Saul kept up his violent threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High Priest 2 and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way of the Lord, he would be able to arrest them, both men and women, and bring them back to Jerusalem.

3 As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” he asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you persecute,” the voice said. 6 “But get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men who were traveling with Saul had stopped, not saying a word; they heard the voice but could not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but could not see a thing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was not able to see, and during that time he did not eat or drink anything.

10 There was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. He had a vision, in which the Lord said to him, “Ananias!”

“Here I am, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord said to him, “Get ready and go to Straight Street, and at the house of Judas ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he might see again.”

13 Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and about all the terrible things he has done to your people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come to Damascus with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who worship you.”

15 The Lord said to him, “Go, because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel. 16 And I myself will show him all that he must suffer for my sake.”

17 So Ananias went, entered the house where Saul was, and placed his hands on him. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord has sent me—Jesus himself, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He sent me so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he was able to see again. He stood up and was baptized; 19 and after he had eaten, his strength came back.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

Saul stayed for a few days with the believers in Damascus. 20 He went straight to the synagogues and began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God.

21 All who heard him were amazed and asked, “Isn't he the one who in Jerusalem was killing those who worship that man Jesus? And didn't he come here for the very purpose of arresting those people and taking them back to the chief priests?”

22 But Saul's preaching became even more powerful, and his proofs that Jesus was the Messiah were so convincing that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not answer him.

23 After many days had gone by, the Jews met together and made plans to kill Saul, 24 but he was told of their plan. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But one night Saul's followers took him and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 Saul went to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples. But they would not believe that he was a disciple, and they were all afraid of him. 27 Then Barnabas came to his help and took him to the apostles. He explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. He also told them how boldly Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. 28 And so Saul stayed with them and went all over Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He also talked and disputed with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers found out about this, they took Saul to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 And so it was that the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. Through the help of the Holy Spirit it was strengthened and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord.

Peter in Lydda and Joppa

32 Peter traveled everywhere, and on one occasion he went to visit God's people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he met a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to get out of bed for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ makes you well. Get up and make your bed.” At once Aeneas got up. 35 All the people living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 In Joppa there was a woman named Tabitha, who was a believer. (Her name in Greek is Dorcas, meaning “a deer.”) She spent all her time doing good and helping the poor. 37 At that time she got sick and died. Her body was washed and laid in a room upstairs. 38 Joppa was not very far from Lydda, and when the believers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him with the message, “Please hurry and come to us.” 39 So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, he was taken to the room upstairs, where all the widows crowded around him, crying and showing him all the shirts and coats that Dorcas had made while she was alive. 40 Peter put them all out of the room, and knelt down and prayed; then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 Peter reached over and helped her get up. Then he called all the believers, including the widows, and presented her alive to them. 42 The news about this spread all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed on in Joppa for many days with a tanner of leather named Simon.