25 Feb, 2008
How much can you give?
Madonna And Friends Shine A Light On Malawi
If you were to look on a map, you could be excused for missing Malawi completely. Bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique in South East Africa, the nation of Malawi is shaped like a lightning bolt, with much of its land area covered by a massive lake. But it a country that is in dire need of help, and a host of celebrities turned out to a dazzling evening of fun on Wednesday, February 6, to raise awareness for what is one of the poorest countries in the world.
The gala event was hosted by Madonna on the lawns of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, with the $3.7 million raised going to UNICEF and her own Raising Malawi organization. “I want to put Raising Malawi on the map,” said Madonna. “I want credibility as a philanthropic organisation. I want to inspire people. I don’t want them to just write me a cheque: I want them to give me a piece of their heart.”
Comedian Christ Rock hosted an auction during the evening, which featured some exciting items donated by celebrity guests. Priceless, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities were up for grabs, such as a dance class with Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow (which sold for $600,000), and a trip to Château Latour – including lunch with Salma Hayek – which was sold to Donald Trump for $120,000.
Saving Malawi was co-founded by Madonna in 2006, after she witnessed the plight of the country firsthand. And it is a plight she hopes to make more people aware of.
Recent UNICEF figures state that almost 1 million people in Malawi (whose total population is 13 million) suffer from HIV/AIDS, including 83,000 children. 267 people are infected with the virus every day, and half of the country’s 1 million orphans have lost their parents to the disease.
“I’ve earned a reputation for many things,” said Madonna during Wednesday’s gala evening. “For pushing the envelope, for being a provocateur, for never taking no for an answer, for endlessly reinventing myself, for being a cult member, a kidnapper, for being ambitious, outrageous, and irreverent. And for never settling for second best. I don’t just want you to write me a check. I’m more interested in your heart. I want to take you on that journey with me tonight. I want you to feel as inspired as I do right now.
“Yes, I want to raise Malawi. But if I can do that – if we can do that – then the sky’s the limit.”
photo & story courtesy looktothestars.org, 2/8/08
Luke 21:1-4
The Widow's Offering
21:1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (ESV)
After reading today's God's Story, who gave more? Madonna and friends or the widow in Luke 21?
The widow! Now don't get me wrong, because the famous celebrities really gave generous gifts! But it's pretty obvious that the widow gave till it hurt and I doubt that Madonna is hurting financially after her generous donations.
It's the widow in today's scripture who has celebrity status in God's Kingdom!
While we often think we're being generous when we give a small % of our income to the Lord, it was the widow who illustrated what it means to give with a Kingdom attitude. Her giving was a sacrifice because she gave all she had to live on.
Do you ever give till it hurts a little?
How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?
- Thank God for the many ways He has blessed you with the resources you need not only to live, but to have "more" than most of the world. Confess any way in which you have been selfish with what God has given you. Ask God to give you the desire and the willingness to give not only a little of your extra, but sacrificially. Thank Him for the opportunity you have to glorify Him as you help meet the needs of others.
- Give personally to help meet the needs of poor starving children. There are many great options like Compassion International.
- Keep track of your spending habits for one month. Are you giving at least a tithe (10 %) back to the Lord? What luxury items could you give up? Or if you want to try being like the widow in Luke 21 for one month, give at least 90 percent of your income to the Lord. Ouch!
How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others?
- Talk to your youth leader and others in your church about pooling your resources to meet the needs of someone or a group of people.
- Ask your youth leader or pastor to help your group with resources to study the Biblical teaching of tithing and giving sacrificially.
- Reach out to someone in your circle of influence (storysphere) by giving them some money or time in order to help meet a need in his or her life. You'll probably have the opportunity to verbalize part of your story with Jesus when they ask you why you are giving something to them.
- July 2008 [17]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [17]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [18]
- July 2007 [13]
- June 2007 [11]
- May 2007 [14]
- April 2007 [11]
- March 2007 [12]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [5]
- November 2006 [14]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [4]
