By Joan Chioma Obinagwam
The true and modest life is a life of service and sacrifice to humanity.
Confiance News gathered from a sermon by the Provincial Pastor of Lagos Province 40 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Solidrock Parish, Ojodu, Pastor Bola Odutola.
Speaking to his congregation during a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, he said that service and sacrifice is the major duty of a Christian.
”That is your number one job as christians,” he stressed.
Citing the book of 1Timothy 6:19 in the New International Version (NIV), he said that scripture reads:”In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Reacting to the scripture, he said: “That suggests that there is a life that is not truly life.”
People of impact revealed
Odutola noted that there are numerous examples of people who led a life of service and sacrifice in the Bible.
One of the people he mentioned was Cornelius. He noted that although he was not an apostle, his deeds were documented in the book of Acts of the Apostles Chapter 10.
”Was Cornelius an apostle? No. But his name appeared in the book of the Acts of Apostles. He entered in Chapter 10. Ten stands for testimony. He was a non-Jew. He wasn’t an Israeli. He was Italian,” the Provincial Pastor stated.
Ruth Gottesman: Answers the Call to serve with a billion-dollar gift
Though not a Christian, Dr. Ruth Gottesman’s extraordinary $1 billion donation to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine reflects a life steeped in service and generosity, echoing the Christian teaching found in 1 Timothy 6:17–19.
Rather than placing her hope in wealth, she chose to be “rich in good deeds,” using her resources to bless future wealth, she chose to be “rich in good deeds,” using her resources to bless future generations of medical students with free tuition. Her gift is not merely financial—it’s a sacrificial act that builds a foundation for others to “take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Confiance News gathered that Gottesman’s philanthropy is deeply rooted in her Jewish faith and family legacy of service. Her parents, Lester and Eleanor Levy, were active in helping Jewish refugees escape Nazi Germany, even adopting a child refugee into their home.
As a longtime educator and advocate for learning disabilities, Ruth’s legacy is one of compassion, humility, and purpose. Her actions embody the biblical call to “do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” In giving so freely, she stores up eternal treasure and inspires others to live lives of meaningful impact and selfless lovee generations of medical students with free tuition. Her gift is not merely financial—it’s a sacrificial act that builds a foundation for others to “take hold of the life that is truly life.”
As a longtime educator and advocate for learning disabilities, Ruth’s legacy is one of compassion, humility, and purpose. Her actions embody the biblical call to “do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” In giving so freely, she stores up eternal treasure and inspires others to live lives of meaningful impact and selfless love.
Mitzi Perdue: A legacy of service, purpose
Having appeared on Christian platforms such as The F.I.T. in Faith Podcast and participated in events like the Christian Business Conference, but has not explicitly labeled herself a Christian, Mitzi Perdue, exemplifies the Christian calling to use wealth for the service of others, as encouraged in 1 Timothy 6:17–19. Rather than placing her hope in riches, she chooses to be “rich in good deeds,” devoting her life to purposeful generosity and sacrificial service.
Through initiatives like “Win This Fight”, which supports victims of human trafficking, and her advocacy for sustainable agriculture, Mitzi invests in causes that uplift the vulnerable. Her life reflects the biblical charge to “be generous and willing to share,” storing up “treasure as a firm foundation for the coming age,” and embracing a path that leads to true life.
Commenting on the lifestyles of these philanthropists, Odutola observed that many non-Christians willingly devote themselves to lives of service and impact, often without any direct knowledge of the scriptures.
He said: “It is by experience that you find non-Christians doing it casually without stress or hassles.’
Odutola, however, urged Christians to live a life of impact.
“Everyone can serve God in their own sphere no matter how small,” he stated.
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