Spirit of Giving
Anyone who knows me understands how important I think it is to take naps and rest. I was sound asleep in my truck on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh when two beggars tapped on my window. The sudden noise startled me and when I awoke I saw two women standing before me, one was carrying her friend on her back.
I handed them a poisha, which is the coin currency in Bangladesh. This is only equivalent to 1/10th of our American penny. The women said, “dhonnobAd” (thank you) and went on their merry way, as I once again got comfortable.
With that small coin, the women purchased all the food they could buy, which amounted to one small rice cake. As I was resting peacefully, I once again heard a tap on my window. Naturally, I assumed the women wanted more money. I was wrong. These women, who obviously had very little, took all the money they were given, bought all the food they could and they put that rice cake in my hand, patted me on the chest, said “dhonnobAd” and walked away. They were thanking Rivers of the World (ROW) for loving them in the name of Jesus.
This experience is similar to the parable Jesus spoke of in Mark 12:41-44, which says:
“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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to Him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.’”
Likewise, these women beggars took the small coin they were given and used it unselfishly to give all they could as a demonstration of their gratefulness for ROW displaying the love of Christ to them. Isn’t that what we are called to do as Christians? Are we giving our all for others in the name of Jesus Christ?
To learn more about the mission of Rivers of The World, visit www.row.org.
