Bible – Bible Society of Zimbabwe

Proverbs-1917-Whoever-is-generous-to-the-poor-lends-to-the-Lord-and-he-will-repay-him-for-his-deed.-2

Once upon a time in the city of Harare, a group of young friends (Tanaka, Itai and Chido) gathered in the cozy living room of Tanaka’s house. They were determined to make a difference in their community during the upcoming season of giving. As they brainstormed ideas, they stumbled upon the concept of almsgiving—a practice rooted in the Bible that encourages selfless acts of charity.

Excitement filled the room as they envisioned a unique way to spread kindness. They decided to create the “Generosity Game,” a challenge that involved performing secret acts of kindness and giving, all inspired by the teachings of the Bible.

The friends drew inspiration from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus instructs his followers:

Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV): “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.”

The rules of the Generosity Game were simple: each friend would pick a random act of kindness to perform without revealing their identity. The game would last throughout the Lenten season, creating a ripple effect of generosity in their community.

The friends eagerly embraced the challenge, finding creative ways to give. Itai, inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan, anonymously left a care package on a neighbor’s doorstep where an old aged granny lived. Inside were basic toiletry items and a heartfelt note expressing care and compassion.

Luke 10:33-34 (NIV): “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”

Chido, recalling the miracle of the loaves and fishes, organized a food drive at her school, encouraging her classmates to contribute some food items to a local food bank and which were later distributed to the children living on the streets.

John 6:12 (NIV): “When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.'”

As the days passed, the Generosity Game unfolded beautifully. The recipients of the acts of kindness were touched by the selfless gestures, and a spirit of community and compassion blossomed among the young friends.

On Easter Sunday, the friends gathered once more, reflecting on their experiences. Tanaka shared a Bible verse that had become their guiding light throughout the Generosity Game:

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

The Generosity Game not only impacted their community but also transformed the hearts of these young friends. They realised that almsgiving, inspired by the teachings of the Bible, was a powerful way to make a positive difference in the lives of others and to experience the true joy of giving.

Do you also want to be refreshed during this season? How about trying this Generosity Game by almsgiving whether by yourself or as a group.

Solomon's Proverbs

1 These are Solomon's proverbs:

Wise children make their fathers proud of them; foolish ones bring their mothers grief.

2 Wealth you get by dishonesty will do you no good, but honesty can save your life.

3 The Lord will not let good people go hungry, but he will keep the wicked from getting what they want.

4 Being lazy will make you poor, but hard work will make you rich.

5 A sensible person gathers the crops when they are ready; it is a disgrace to sleep through the time of harvest.

6 Good people will receive blessings. The words of the wicked hide a violent nature.

7 Good people will be remembered as a blessing, but the wicked will soon be forgotten.

8 Sensible people accept good advice. People who talk foolishly will come to ruin.

9 Honest people are safe and secure, but the dishonest will be caught.

10 Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble, but one who openly criticizes works for peace.

11 A good person's words are a fountain of life, but a wicked person's words hide a violent nature.

12 Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses.

13 Intelligent people talk sense, but stupid people need to be punished.

14 The wise get all the knowledge they can, but when fools speak, trouble is not far off.

15 Wealth protects the rich; poverty destroys the poor.

16 The reward for doing good is life, but sin leads only to more sin.

17 People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are in danger.

18 Anyone who hides hatred is a liar. Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool.

19 The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.

20 A good person's words are like pure silver; a wicked person's ideas are worthless.

21 A good person's words will benefit many people, but you can kill yourself with stupidity.

22 It is the Lord's blessing that makes you wealthy. Hard work can make you no richer.

23 It is foolish to enjoy doing wrong. Intelligent people take pleasure in wisdom.

24 The righteous get what they want, but the wicked will get what they fear most.

25 Storms come, and the wicked are blown away, but honest people are always safe.

26 Never get a lazy person to do something for you; he will be as irritating as vinegar on your teeth or smoke in your eyes.

27 Obey the Lord, and you will live longer. The wicked die before their time.

28 The hopes of good people lead to joy, but wicked people can look forward to nothing.

29 The Lord protects honest people, but destroys those who do wrong.

30 Righteous people will always have security, but the wicked will not survive in the land.

31 Righteous people speak wisdom, but the tongue that speaks evil will be stopped.

32 Righteous people know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt.

1 THE PARABLE OF SALOMON. A wise sonne maketh a glad father: but a foolish sonne is an heauines to his mother. 2 The treasures of wickednesse profite nothing: but righteousnesse deliuereth from death. 3 The Lord will not famish the soule of the righteous: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. 4 A slouthfull hand maketh poore: but the hand of the diligent maketh riche. 5 He that gathereth in sommer, is the sonne of wisdome: but he that sleepeth in haruest, is the sonne of confusion. 6 Blessings are vpon the head of the righteous: but iniquitie shall couer the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memoriall of the iust shalbe blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rotte. 8 The wise in heart will receiue commandements: but the foolish in talke shalbe beaten. 9 He that walketh vprightly, walketh boldely: but he that peruerteth his wayes, shalbe knowen. 10 He that winketh with the eye, worketh sorowe, and he yet is foolish in talke, shalbe beaten. 11 The mouth of a righteous man is a welspring of life: but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirreth vp contentions: but loue couereth all trespasses. 13 In the lippes of him that hath vnderstanding wisdome is founde, and a rod shalbe for the backe of him that is destitute of wisedome. 14 Wise men lay vp knowledge: but ye mouth of the foole is a present destruction. 15 The riche mans goodes are his strong citie: but the feare of the needie is their pouertie. 16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: but the reuenues of the wicked to sinne. 17 He that regardeth instruction, is in the way of life: but he that refuseth correction, goeth out of the way. 18 He that dissembleth hatred with lying lips, and he that inuenteth slaunder, is a foole. 19 In many wordes there cannot want iniquitie: but he that refrayneth his lippes, is wise. 20 The tongue of the iust man is as fined siluer: but the heart of the wicked is litle worth. 21 The lippes of the righteous doe feede many: but fooles shall die for want of wisedome. 22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh riche, and he doeth adde no sorowes with it. 23 It is as a pastime to a foole to doe wickedly: but wisedome is vnderstanding to a man. 24 That which the wicked feareth, shall come vpon him: but God wil graunt the desire of the righteous. 25 As the whirlewinde passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is as an euerlasting foundation. 26 As vineger is to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the slouthful to them that send him. 27 The feare of the Lord increaseth the dayes: but the yeeres of the wicked shalbe diminished. 28 The patient abiding of the righteous shall be gladnesse: but the hope of the wicked shall perish. 29 The way of the Lord is strength to the vpright man: but feare shall be for the workers of iniquitie. 30 The righteous shall neuer be remooued: but the wicked shall not dwell in the land. 31 The mouth of the iust shall be fruitfull in wisdome: but the tongue of the froward shall be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous knowe what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh froward things.

Proverbs 10