The last few weeks as a church we have been looking at what biblical, gospel-motivated generosity is. This is not something new to my family and me. We have read books, listened to sermons, and made changes and seem to always see a need for growth in this area.
I have tasted the kindness of my God and savior and received His mercy and that motivates me to desire to see His work on earth be done. I know that money is a part of that and that God enriches us in order to be generous. As was pointed out in the sermons; how we spend our money is a good indicator of how we are doing spiritually. I want to store my treasures in heaven, and remembering that what we don't give is what we lose and not the other way around, should be obvious, but it isn't always, at least in practice.
This time around when discussing and evaluating our hearts and how we live in this area, we have realized that in many ways we have neglected putting gospel-giving into practice with our children. By this, I mean, we have desired to train them to store their treasures in heaven and train them to be a generous people and so far have fallen short. Though we speak about it and to a try to exemplify it, we haven't truly given them many opportunities to experience it. We haven't given them much to invest and see what happens when you give to God's work. Sure, when they have a little money we encourage them to give it, but at ages 9, 8, 6 and 3, they rarely have anything to give. In some ways perhaps that is reasonable. But how will they experience the reality that where you put your money, you take great interest. You truly think, love and treasure the things you invest in. We haven't given them the opportunity to "practice" being generous children. Frankly, we have been lazy! My husband has had some good practical ideas how to practically train our children in this area, and we are only now beginning to do so.
We are going to start by showing some financial generosity to our own kids by giving them an allowance. That way they have money (they are enriched), for the purpose of giving back to God and loving God's people with what they are enriched with. Such basic stuff, we just haven't done it yet. This too will give us the opportunity to see their hearts in action as well. We are making banks with 3 separate compartments. One for spending, one for saving, and one for giving. They will get to put a portion into each compartment. This will give them something to give and an opportunity to learn how to handle finances.
My husband and are certainly looking to be more generous in all aspect of our lives: money, time, and possessions. We want to "seek first His Kingdom and righteousness," and we see some lack in our own lives, and we see one thing as a lack in raising gospel givers.
Oh Lord help us to be gospel motivated givers and raise our children up to experience your tender mercies; and as benefactors of Your great generosity, Lord, may we be generous together.
This book may be a helpful resource for some that are looking for practical ways to train your children to handle money God's way.
I have tasted the kindness of my God and savior and received His mercy and that motivates me to desire to see His work on earth be done. I know that money is a part of that and that God enriches us in order to be generous. As was pointed out in the sermons; how we spend our money is a good indicator of how we are doing spiritually. I want to store my treasures in heaven, and remembering that what we don't give is what we lose and not the other way around, should be obvious, but it isn't always, at least in practice.
This time around when discussing and evaluating our hearts and how we live in this area, we have realized that in many ways we have neglected putting gospel-giving into practice with our children. By this, I mean, we have desired to train them to store their treasures in heaven and train them to be a generous people and so far have fallen short. Though we speak about it and to a try to exemplify it, we haven't truly given them many opportunities to experience it. We haven't given them much to invest and see what happens when you give to God's work. Sure, when they have a little money we encourage them to give it, but at ages 9, 8, 6 and 3, they rarely have anything to give. In some ways perhaps that is reasonable. But how will they experience the reality that where you put your money, you take great interest. You truly think, love and treasure the things you invest in. We haven't given them the opportunity to "practice" being generous children. Frankly, we have been lazy! My husband has had some good practical ideas how to practically train our children in this area, and we are only now beginning to do so.
We are going to start by showing some financial generosity to our own kids by giving them an allowance. That way they have money (they are enriched), for the purpose of giving back to God and loving God's people with what they are enriched with. Such basic stuff, we just haven't done it yet. This too will give us the opportunity to see their hearts in action as well. We are making banks with 3 separate compartments. One for spending, one for saving, and one for giving. They will get to put a portion into each compartment. This will give them something to give and an opportunity to learn how to handle finances.
My husband and are certainly looking to be more generous in all aspect of our lives: money, time, and possessions. We want to "seek first His Kingdom and righteousness," and we see some lack in our own lives, and we see one thing as a lack in raising gospel givers.
Oh Lord help us to be gospel motivated givers and raise our children up to experience your tender mercies; and as benefactors of Your great generosity, Lord, may we be generous together.
This book may be a helpful resource for some that are looking for practical ways to train your children to handle money God's way.
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