The Bible says in the Book of Proverbs 22:6 and I quote: “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. This is a true story coming from West Zimbabwe Union Conference, in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. Church members in Njuba Seventh-Day Adventist church in Pelandaba in Bulawayo the city of Kings in Zimbabwe, were left amazed by the spirit of giving from a 23 old young man, by the name Maqawe Masuku. Taking a leaf from the scriptures, the young man did not only just return 10% of his tithe, but added on top of his tithe by giving 5 more beasts as an offering. All in all, the 23-year-old member of Njube SDA church under Pelandaba district, gave a total of 10 beasts in tithe and offerings.
The young man, was gifted 50 cows by his father and he decided to return a faithful tithe and an offering unto the Lord. Maqawe never lost it in his mind that it was God’s blessing that made him what he is today. Unlike the prodigal son in the Bible who squandered all his wealth, Maqawe had made a promise with his God when he was growing up that he will always serve and respect the Lord. So, when his father gave him 50 cows as part of his inheritance, Maqawe remembered that there is a God in heaven, the provider of everything that we own.
Asked about what really made him to be faithful in returning God’s faithful Tithe and Offering, Maqawe says, “There was a period back in 2019 where I promised the Lord that as long as He blessed me with anything, I will faithfully return my tithe and offering. I did so in everything I got from the time I was a small child and even if it was as little as a $1, I made sure that I retuned my Tithe and gave my offering, because I believe, we worship God even with our Tithes and Offerings”
The name Maqawe means hero in English and true to his name, the young man has proved that even in these harsh economic times, we still have heroes who look up to God for their blessings. Maqawe’s herd of cattle is kept at Oboccosso farm, in Fort Rixon, Matebeleland one of the home of cattle raring in Zimbabwe. Despite his young age, Maqawe says, as long as he lives he will hold on to God’s promises, because they are new every day.
Article: Sithandile Mpofu & Noel Sibanda
Photographer: Miller Dube
