What’s with kids being so selfish and wanting everything to be only theirs? Oh yeh, I was like that and am still like that (more than I want to admit). It’s the sin that is in us. We seek out things for ourselves, completely disregarding others. So how do you teach your kids to give?
On the practical side, my kids have a give bank that a minimum of 10% of any money they get should go in. My kids don’t always contribute to the give bank and I don’t always force them to. That’s because I am also working on shepherding their heart so that they want to give. Here are concepts that I try to teach them through word and example. These are concepts that I know are true of our God and he can use them to shape our kids hearts.
It’s All God’s- God is the giver of every good thing we have. He has entrusted us as stewards to use what he has given us. Adjusting your view to say that I drive God’s car, live in God’s house, and raise God’s kids has a huge impact on how you view money and accumulating stuff. It also changes your view when something goes wrong with God’s car or house. He gave it to us, and he can provide the solution for the repair. But knowing that what we have is not ours should drive us to be the best stewards of God’s money and stuff.
You Can’t Out Give God- God has store houses that are full. He has the ability to show up in our moment of need because he knows our need. So as you give, set the example for you kids of giving faithful and giving sacrificially because we know that God can’t be out given.
Give out of a joyful heart- God doesn't need your money and he doesn't want your money that is given with a heart of resentment. The truth is we are blessed to be able to contribute to God’s kingdom by giving. He wants to include us in this way. Give as an act of worship to God; giving him an offering that shows your admiration of Him.
Comments
Post a Comment