3 lessons on generosity
When you think of generosity in the Bible, do any stories come to mind? While you might recall some of those stories to motivate your generosity in life, you can also use them to teach your children, grandchildren, niece and nephews. If you’re looking to talk to the young people in your life about the power of generosity and God’s love, here are three stories that can help.
The widow’s offering
One of the most well-known stories on generosity comes from Mark 12:41-45. Jesus was at the temple with his disciples sitting across from the place where offerings were made. They had seen many wealthy people come by to put large amounts of money in the treasury, but then the widow came along and placed two coins inside. Compared to the other offerings that were being made, you wouldn’t think that this would catch much attention, but Jesus recognized that woman immediately. He told his disciples that out of all the offerings that had been given, the poor widow put more in than anyone else because she gave everything she had while everyone else just gave because they were wealthy.
The story of the widow provides a great framework for talking to the children in your life about what they can give. This isn’t just a story to teach them about financial giving and tithing, but it’s also an opportunity to discuss the blessings that God has given them and how they can use those blessings to generously give to others.
Reaping what you sow
The next lesson you can use to teach your children about giving is from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. In this story, we are told that those who give generously will receive generously, and those who give sparingly will also receive sparingly. We’re also told that God loves a cheerful giver. He doesn’t want people to give because they feel like they have to, but they should give because they feel in their heart that it’s the right thing to do.
Through this story, you will be able to teach your children about the power of God and how everything we have comes from Him. He so generously gives to us, so we should generously give back in return. However, it’s important that we teach children to give out of a place of love. Your gifts should come from the heart — not because you feel like you have to do it.
Feeding 5,000
In Matthew 14:14-21, Jesus and his disciples find themselves in a remote area with a crowd of people around them. His disciples told Him that He should send the crowds away to surrounding towns to find something to eat because it was getting late. Jesus told them not to send the crowds away, and they should give them food. The disciples said that they only had five loaves of bread and two fish. They brought what they had to Jesus, he thanked God for them and the disciples started handing out food. God performed a miracle and made five loaves of bread and two fish fed that huge crowd — and there were leftovers!
While this story doesn’t directly relate to financial generosity, it’s a great story for teaching children about what God can do with the things that he is given. Whether it’s a meager portion of bread and fish or your child’s money from the tooth fairy, God can take what He is given and bless others abundantly.
The children in your life look up to you. They want to be like you when they grow up. When they see you giving to others, it’s important to be able to explain to them why you choose to give. We give because God tells us to, and we give because we feel in our hearts that it’s a good and righteous thing to do. Make sure your children understand the power of generosity and God’s love.