Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
About GFA
Ministries
Free Resources
Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Pinterest
- Twitter
- Youtube
Archives
FREE NEWSLETTER

Home
Evangelical
“Here Comes the Freedom!” Gospel for Asia Shares the Impact of a Gift of Goats

“Here Comes the Freedom!” Gospel for Asia Shares the Impact of a Gift of Goats

Last updated on: November 21, 2019 at 3:27 pm by GFA Staff Writer

“Here Comes the Freedom!” Gospel for Asia Shares the Impact of a Gift of Goats 2019-11-21T15:27:32+00:00 GFA Staff Writer

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

We have pretty much bought into the saying that, “It’s not the gift that counts; it’s the thought behind it.” But what if that is not true. Doesn’t the gift really count?

When we place more value on the intent than on the gift, it’s not long before the gift we give fills no real need of the recipient. Walk into any big box store during the Christmas holiday season, and notice how people are filling their carts with expensive but perhaps meaningless things to be able to say that it is the thought that counts.

There is one Bible passage that speaks the truth about the gift being important based on the need.

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” —James 2:15–16 (ESV)

This verses alone should be enough to change the way we think of giving. Not to mention that the Lord has offered to each of us the gift we need the most: His Son, Jesus Christ. What is more, the Bible tells us that every gift that God gives us is good and perfect.

GFA Asks How Should We Then Give?

We have, in fact, already answered that question. We should give as the Bible teaches, and in the pattern of God’s gracious giving.

Which brings us to goats.

That may seem like the ultimate non sequitur, but it is not. Our responsibility in giving gifts is to understand what is needed, then to do what we can to help meet that need. Goats are one of the best gifts to give to families stuck in abject poverty in South Asia, Africa and elsewhere. If that seems odd, it is only because we do not understand the impact goats can make for a family.

When we give goats and teach families how to care for them, those goats open a door to comparative prosperity that is beyond those families’ wildest dreams.

GFA Explains How It Works?

Goats provide a source of nutrition. Goats milk is high in protein and calcium and is more easily digestible by the human body than milk from cows. A healthy goat will give up to 16 cups of milk per day. Did you know that 65 percent of the world drinks goat milk?

Goats are an asset that can be used to generate income. Goat milk, cheese and yogurt can be sold to generate income.

If a family chooses to breed their goats, they can transform the original gift into a growing enterprise in their community.

One past recipient of a pair of goats from GFA-supported workers started a farm that today has 75 goats. By using the gift of goats wisely, that man and his family are no longer slaves to abject poverty.

Another man rejoiced when he accepted his gift and exclaimed, “When I received the goats, I told myself, ‘Here comes the freedom.'”

Some families may sell a portion of their herd to acquire other animals such as cattle and water buffalo. Or they may use the proceeds to open a small business in their village. The goats that they sell empower other families in their community with the same sustainable gift.

The gift of goats is a way to share the gift of Jesus Christ and His love for us.

GFA’s Christmas Gift Catalog features the gift of a pair of goats for only $140.

GFA Asks What Will You Do?

That is, of course, up to you. We encourage you to consider the very practical and needed gift of goats for at least one family in Asia. Imagine empowering a family in Asia to come out of poverty with a gift of goats. What a blessing we can be.

Sources:

WAY-FM, Chickens and Goats
CNN, Why goats and chickens make great holiday gifts
Gospel for Asia, Christmas Critter Campaign
Weed ’em and Reap, GOAT LIFE. THERE AIN’T NOTHIN’ LIKE IT
World Vision, Goats Can Change Everything
Canadian Feed the Children, The Truth About Goats

Image Source:

Gospel for Asia, Photo of the Day

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Go here to know more about Gospel for Asia: GFA.org | Facebook | Youtube | Twitter | GFA Reports

Humanitarian Services

Poverty Alleviation

Absolute Poverty

Below Poverty Line in India

Dr KP Yohannan

GFA

GFA-Supported Missionaries

GFA-Supported Workers

Gospel for Asia

How to Reduce Poverty

Images of Poverty in India

KP Yohannan

Poverty

Poverty Alleviation

Poverty Alleviation Program

Poverty Facts

Poverty Reduction in India

Previous Post

December 7, 2018

Poverty Line Problems of the Impoverished (Part 3 by Gospel for Asia)

Next Post

December 19, 2018 The Amazing and Empowering Impact of Chickens and Goats

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Gospel for Asia Bishop Daniel Children's Education Clean Water Daniel Yohannan Disaster Relief GFA World Guest Writer Humanitarian Services Inspiration Leprosy Medical Ministry Mission Support Team Modern Slavery National Missions Poverty Alleviation Powerful Prayer School of Discipleship Special Report Spiritual Growth Uncategorized Women's Issues

Select a Month April 2026 March 2026 December 2025 September 2025 June 2025 May 2025 March 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What qualification does Paul give for elders, saying they must be the husband of how many wives?

Select your answer to see how you score.

As many as he can support Two wives No more than three wives One wife