My husband and I feel it is very important for my children to understand that it is better to give than to receive. We hardly ever throw things away. Old clothes and shoes go to the local clothing drive out here in CO, while toys and other items that are still in good condition go to Task Force or the Good Will. We give randomly throughout the year to different charities and we wanted our children to get a chance to experience doing good things for others. Today we dropped off canned and boxed goods at a nearby church that has a food bank. The Bible tells us that if we can afford it we should give.
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, "It is more blessed to give than to recieve." Acts 20:35
For those of you who feel it is important to teach your children about giving I would recommend giving this a try. We explained to our children what all the food was for and why it was going to the church. We quietly walked in and dropped everything off. The little ones helped carry the food to the pantry and we left without saying a word.
When we go to the parking lot however, the children were jumping up and down, because they were so excited about what they had done. It always feels great to do nice things for others who truly need them. But now came the second part of the lesson on giving. Do it quietly.
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in Heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." Matthew 6:1-4
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