43- Almsgiving - Anba Abraam

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. (43)

References:
-The Life of Anba Abraam, Al Mahaba Bookshop.

Notes for Servants
-Christianity and almsgiving are twins. Almsgiving - in all forms and different aspects - begin with
material almsgiving which is the least accepted kind of almsgiving and proceed to the life of self
giving which is the supreme of almsgiving.
-Almsgiving, prayer and fasting forms a very strong rope which when we get hold of it we can be
safe and secure.
-This is what the early Christians understood, and this was the motto of the first Church. This
principle is clearly worded by St. Paul in his talk to the priests of Ephesus when he said to them,
"In all things I have shown you that by so toiling, one must help the weak, remembering the words
of the Lord Jesus, how He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

Objectives
General: Our love for others.
Specific:
The children will be able to ...
A. learn the importance of the alms-giving life.
B. understand that giving is not to the poor only, helping others in there troubles is a type
of giving.
C. explain the ways of giving.

Bible Verse

" For God loveth a cheerful giver. "
(2 Corinthians. 9:7)

Teaching Aids
1. The picture of Anba Abraam.

Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) The servant draws the children's attention to the necessity of being kind to the poor, but it
would be better to discuss with them the way of organizing the act of almsgiving so that their money
may go to the people who are truly needy.

(5) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the
lesson.

Story Time
There was once a bishop whose name was Anba Abraam, theBishop of Fayoum. He was a Saint.
He executed the commandments of the Lord carefully, especially the commandment of almsgiving. One
day a poor woman came to him but at that time he had no money. One of his children had given him a
shawl which he did not use. The poor woman said to him, "Your Grace, the bishop, I am in dire need of
money. Please give me some." And the bishop said, "I have no money my daughter, but take this shawl
and sell it and buy what you need." The woman said, "Thank you very much my lord." Then she took the
shawl, kissed the cross and the bishop's hands and left the place saying, "For God loves a cheerful giver."
The woman took the shawl and went to the market to sell it and there the owner of the shawl saw
her. The man asked her, where did you get this shawl? How much do you want for it? Then she
answered I got it form His Grace the Bishop, and I need some money to buy food. The man gave her
money and took the shawl back to Anba Abraam. Before giving the shawl back to him, the man asked,
"Why don't you cover yourself with the shawl, my lord, in this cold weather?" Anba Abraam said, "The
shawl is above, my son." Meaning the shawl was with Jesus.
Then the man presented the shawl to Anba Abraam. Anba Abraam was surprised and said to the
man, "Perhaps you have oppressed her my son." And the man replied, "No, my lord. I gave her the whole
price." The Bishop said, "May the Lord reward you my son." The man said, "Thank you my lord, pray
for me." The man kissed the cross and the bishop’s hands and went out saying, "For God loves a cheerful
giver."

Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.

Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.