Generosity 2

Tabatha got sick and died. She had lived in Joppa and was a generous person who made clothes for widows. A widow is a woman whose husband had died. Most of the time, being a widow meant not having enough money and becoming poor. This was especially true two thousand years ago when Tabatha lived.

Peter, one of Jesus Apostles, was in a nearby town. Two men who knew Tabatha went to find Peter. They urged him, “Please come at once!”

Peter agreed. Upon arrival, he was taken upstairs to where Tabatha’s body lie on a bed. There, he met all the widows who were crying. They showed him the garments Tabatha had made for them. “She was a giving person. She made us these cloaks, robes, and other clothes because she was kind and generous.” Many tears were spent.

Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed. After he prayed, he turned toward the bed and said, “Tabatha, get up.”

An amazing thing happened, she opened her eyes. She sat up and Peter took her hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the others and presented her alive. Peter was just the instrument to make Tabatha whole again. The Lord is the creator and giver of life.

Many people heard of this miracle and knew this was from God and believed in the Lord.

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What do you think Tabatha did after that? I believe she rejoiced in the Lord. She probably had a renewed zeal to make more things for others. I would think she told everyone about the Lord. She was probably a sweet lady before she died, but I bet she became more so. Can you imagine what she would have been like?

The Lord loves a cheerful giver. We should be generous with what the Lord gives us.

Thanksgiving Day is in a short time. That’s a time to give thanks to others and the Lord. Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time to give of your time and possessions to others.

Please memorize one or more of these verses:

Deuteronomy 15: 11 For the poor will never cease from the land: therefore I command you saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Acts 20:35c …It is more blessed to give than receive.

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated

Feeding of the Five Thousand Part 2

Our last story found a boy fishing, when he encountered a group of men, who he follows. You can read the first part here.

 

Andrew has been following the Master for a year and learned to keep a watchful eye out, because he never knew what could happen. A few days ago, The Master had healed a man who had been lame from birth. This didn’t sit well with the religious rulers. They didn’t understand the Master and were angry that the Master had healed the man on the Sabbath. Andrew kept a watchful eye out for problems that may arise.

Andrew, his friends, and the Master came over to Galilee in a boat. He thought they would be able to spend some quiet time just the twelve of them with the Master. They left the boat and walked along the coastal road when he saw the boy.

The boy had been fishing. The master, as was his habit, took notice of the lad. The scruffy child gathered his things and followed them. That’s when he noticed the huge crowd also following. “Not again,” were his thoughts.

So many times crowds of people followed the Master. Some asked to be healed, others wanted to be entertained by watching the Master perform a miracle. A handful of them listened intently to what the Master taught. Andrew knew there were a few who reported back to the rulers who didn’t like the Master.

The Master saw the crowd and said, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” (John 6: 5)

Phillip one of the twelve answered, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” (John 6: 7)

Essentially, there wasn’t enough money to purchase food for this huge crowd. Then out of the blue, Andrew remembered the boy. He scanned the crowd and found him sitting with fixed attention on the Master and asked him, “Boy, did you only catch those two measly fish? Do you have any other food?”

The boy, Benjamin, replied, “Mother packed me six barley loaves and a leek. I ate the leek and one of the loaves.” he pointed at the Master and added, “Does He need them?”

“Are you willing to part with them for the Master?”

Benjamin nodded.

“Come with me and I’ll tell him what you have to offer.”

Andrew said to the Master, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (John 6: 9)

Jesus, the Master, said, “Make the people sit down.”

The area was grassy. It took a while for the people to set themselves into groups. The twelve disciples counted five thousand men, not counting the women and children.

Andrew gave the five loaves and two small fish to Jesus. Jesus blessed the meal and started breaking the bread apart. He dropped the portions into baskets. Then he took the fish and did likewise. He told the disciples to distribute the baskets full of bread and fish. The people ate till content and full.

Jesus said, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” (John 6: 12)

The disciples retrieved twelve baskets full of portions of food.

Andrew was amazed! More than five thousand fed and twelve baskets brimming with food—all out of only two fish and five loaves.

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The boy looked on with huge eyes. He couldn’t wait to tell his family! He asked the man Andrew, “Sir, I was supposed to bring home supper. I didn’t do so well fishing and I’ve been gone all day. Could I take some home for my family?”

Andrew smiled and rubbed the top of Benjamin’s head. He grabbed handfuls of food and stuffed it into the satchel Benjamin had over his shoulder.

Benjamin smiled up at Andrew. “Thanks!”

Benjamin looked one last time at the Master. Jesus focused His attention on Benjamin and smiled. Benjamin smiled back and then raced home to his Mother and brother Joshua.

He told them all that happened that day. His mother said, “Benjamin, I am proud of you for wanting to share your meal with the Master. I have heard of Him. We should go hear Him speak tomorrow.”

“I’d like that. His words touched my heart and I want to see Him again. Mother, why did you give me the satchel instead of giving it to Joshua?”

His mother smiled and said, “You are more like the men who carried it before you. I thought you would appreciate it. Anyway, you needed it today.”

The family enjoyed the meal. That day was one of the best days of Benjamin’s life. He had met the Master! He shared his food with Him and saw Jesus make a miracle. Benjamin learned to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Benjamin knew in his heart that only God could have done the miracle he witnessed.

Benjamin did a great thing. He shared his small meal. What could have happened had he not shared? I think he would have missed a blessing. Jesus would have done the miracle another way, but Benjamin would have missed out. We need to be willing to share. Do you share your food and toys with others?

 

The boy and disciples and Jesus are true people and this event really happened. My imagination made up the boy’s name and events leading up to him being near to share his food that day. Then boy really shared his two fish and five barley loaves and Jesus fed the five thousand. This true story is out of the Bible told in all four gospels. You can read it in Matthew: 14:14-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9: 10-17, John 6: 1-14.

Please memorize: Proverbs 22:9a He who has a generous eye will be blessed.

 

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeding of the Five Thousand Part 1

“Mother, can I go fishing?”

“I think that would be alright, after you finish milking and feeding the goat.”

“Alright.” he tossed over his shoulder as he ran outside.

His mother shook her head and smiled to herself. The loaves of bread were finished baking and she took them from the oven and placed them on the table. The aroma filled the air. She set six small barley loaves to the side. On a shelf sat a small worn satchel. Her fingers caressed them as she thought about the other hands who had touched it over the years. The leather was soft and oiled from use by her grandfather, father, husband, and now her son. Sweet memories flooded her mind. She thought this would be perfect.

Out in the shelter, the boy, who we will call Benjamin, patted his goat on the side as he reached under her to gather the full jug of milk. He carefully placed it around the corner. Benjamin grabbed the pitchfork and scooped up some hay and dumped it in the manger. He added a handful of barley. “There, that should hold you until tomorrow. Don’t get into mischief while I’m gone. Mother said I could go fishing!” He gave her a quick hug before turning toward the house.

Benjamin hoisted the heavy jug and carried it into the house. “Here is the milk, Mother.”

“Thank you. Why not have a drink while I fill your satchel.”

“My satchel?”

“I thought it was time for it to be yours. I’ll put some loaves in it for you to snack on while you catch your fish. Fish sounds lovely for supper tonight.”

Benjamin took the gift and slung the strap over his shoulder and rubbed his thumb over the soft smooth surface. “Thank you Mother. I’ll take good care of it. And come back with ten grand fish!”

His mother chuckled at his exuberance as she watch him run down the worn path.

Benjamin scrambled over the boulders lining the side of the lake. This spot was perfect. It was deep here but not a good place for the boats to dock. This way, he would be alone.

The fish were not biting today. His stomach growled. The satchel contained some barley loaves and a leek. The leek was nice and crunchy while the loaf he ate was soft and warm.

All of a sudden, his fishing line bobbed. The fingers in his hand automatically tightened as he tugged lightly. Yep, there was a nibble. He jerked it. Then slowly and carefully he drew the line out of the water.

The fish was small and wiggled while he extracted the line from its mouth. Next, he line sailed through the air and landed with a splash in the lake. He was ready for another wait. He thought about his family as he waited for a fish to bite on his line. His sister, Maria, was married and his older brother, Joshua, worked long hours for a farmer. The satchel should have gone to him. I wonder why Mother gave it to me.

His ears caught the sound of people walking behind him on the road. He turned to see a pleasant looking man and a few other more rugged characters walking with him. They were in deep conversation, but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. At that moment, his line jiggled in his hand. He pulled out another small fish and added it to the other one.

Something about the men drew his attention and he got up to have a closer look. The calm smiling man turned his head and fixed his gaze on Benjamin. No one had ever looked at him that way before. His spine tingled and his heart beat a little bit faster. He smiled back at the man.

The man turned back to his companions and kept walking. One of the other men turned and took Benjamin in, from his filthy bare feet to the top of his curly ruffled hair blowing in the breeze. This made Benjamin smooth out his tunic and straighten his rope belt.

A short distance away, a huge crowd of people were coming. They seemed to be following the man with the kind face. Benjamin trotted back to his stuff and gathered them up. With his satchel over his shoulder and the fish secured to a skinny piece of rope, he followed the small group of men. He counted them—thirteen.

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Find out who Benjamin is following as we continue our story in the next lesson.

Part 2 here

Generosity

The squirrel’s name is Barclay and he lives in the forest. Barclay is an astonishing squirrel. Most squirrels gather nuts in the fall and store them for the long winter. The squirrels hide them from other squirrels. Barclay gathers nuts too but much more than he needs.

Barclay lives in a comfortable den in a hole in the tree. The tree most likely had a branch that got injured and fell off. Where the branch had been, Barclay dug out the soft part and hollow it, making a cozy den.

Winters can be harsh in the woods. The wind howls and the snow flies. The animals hide in their dens from the weather.

One day, a break  came in the weather and Barclay ventured out. He ran to his closest neighbor. “Daisy are you home?”

A black nose poked out then a sweet smiling face. “Barclay, what are you doing out?”

“I came to check on you. How are you fairing? Warm enough? How is your stock of food holding out?”

“We’re warm enough, all snuggled up together.”

“Ha-ha! I guess so with five youngsters. I’ll be right back.”

He scampered away and Daisy went back to her brood. Soon, Barclay came back and entered the cramped space. Daisy looked up and cocked her head, raising one eyebrow.

Barclay spit out what he had been carrying in his cheeks. “This should help your supplies last.”

Before Daisy said anything, Barclay ran to the next den. He did this all day—bringing food to his neighbors. The squirrels were grateful for the provisions Barclay shared with them.

Every few weeks if the weather allowed, Barclay did his rounds to his friends with cheeks full of nuts. He remembered not to give them too much, so they would not count on him next winter. He wanted them to gather nuts and berries for themselves.

The days started to warm and the snow turned to rain. It was an unusual rainy season. The rain came down in sheets. Barclay could hardly see out through the rain.

He worried for his friends. After four solid days of a down pour, he raced to a friend whose den was underground.

Barclay knew where the den should be but it was covered with water! “Skitty, where are you? Skitty!”

Soaked to the skin and shivering, he ran around calling, “Skitty! Skitty!”

Barclay plodded through the mud. A few times he sunk into the muck. “Skitty!”

He searched at Skitty’s closes neighbors. Not one squirrel had seen or heard Skitty.

Downcast and fearful for his friend he left a message at all the squirrel’s dens. “If you see Skitty, tell him to come to my place.”

Barclay was so tired he could hardly keep walking. He finally arrived home. Leaning against his den was Skitty! “Skitty! Boy, am I glad to see you! Come in.”

Other than being shaken up a bit and soaked, Skitty was fine. He scarfed down the nuts Barclay gave him and fell into a deep sleep. Barclay watched him slumber until he too closed his eyes.

In the morning, Barclay woke as light filtered into his den. Skitty stirred, stretched and gave out a huge yawn. “Thanks for the food and sleep,” said Skitty, “I needed it.”

“You're welcome, my friend. I have plenty of room and food and would love some company. How about staying here until the ground dries and I’ll help you rebuild you home?”

“Thank you, you’re a generous friend. Your place is comfy. Barclay, you share food with us all. Are you sure you have enough?”

“I do. Maybe the weather will cooperate and we can start looking for a better place for your den. We could build one in a tree or if you still prefer the ground, I suggest digging up on higher ground.”

Skitty smiled. “That's a very good idea!”

Soon, the rain stopped pouring and the ground dried sufficiently.  The two squirreles selected a perfect setting for Skittly’s abode. The hill was not too steep and covered with trees and foliage. They took turns digging until there  was a large space to hold nuts and a comfortable place to sleep. Barclay went home and left Skitty to enjoy his new residence. Skitty appraised his home  with a smile and turned to look across the hill to a distinct tree where Barclay entered his own home. He sighed with contentment. “He is a great friend.”

Girls and Boys, Barclay lived his life as a good example of generosity. He worked hard to have extra food to share with his neighbors. He cared for his friend and helped him in his need. Barclay spent time and energy helping his friend build a new den.

Are you generous? Do you help out others? Look for ways you can be generous with those around you. Start with your family and move out to your friends by sharing your time and things. In this way you will bless others and be feel good all at the same time.

Memorize: Proverbs 11:25a The generous soul will be made rich…

1 Timothy 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.

 

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated