It is fairly easy to teach children to give, especially when we provide the gifts they give. First, there’s excitement when they receive the gift, usually followed by disappointment when they learn they can’t keep it. The excitement grows when they learn that the gift will help feed people; it grows when they learn they can help people learn about Jesus.
The excitement of giving quickly becomes a habit, and kids become keenly aware of the needs around them. That’s where families begin to grow together. My own giving has been challenged when my kids have asked for money for various missions needs. Some of their requests have been met with challenges to do extra chores or to give up a portion of their birthday money, which is usually followed by a discussion about the value of personal sacrifice.
But giving isn’t merely a matter of collecting money; our giving should always be a matter of connecting people to God and helping them to grow in their faith and encouraging them to serve as well. We can see this pattern in the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10. Verse 2 tells us that Cornelius “and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.”
Cornelius and his family were Gentiles who were beginning to connect with God, and they were beginning to serve by giving to those who were in need. Then God sent Peter to preach to them. Acts 10:24 says, “Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Cornelius continued “giving” by introducing his relatives and friends to the Gospel message, which led to them being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48).
Let’s continue the pattern in our own families and within the church by giving generously to people in need. Families can also give together by serving together, at the third-Saturday food distribution, for example. Let’s continue giving together so we can all grow and serve together.