Raising Kids in the Age of Foolishness

There are enough fools in the world!

Raising Kids in the Age of Foolishness: Financial Advice #4 Generosity and Trust in God

•             “One person gives freely yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty.” — Proverbs 11:24

•             “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” — Proverbs 3:9

We say, “we can’t outgive God,” but that’s not usually how we live. Often, we live as if “God can’t keep up.” Jesus said, “Freely you have received; freely give.” The Lord through Malachi told the Israelites to bring the tithes and offerings into the storehouse and try the Lord to see if He will not open the windows of heaven and pour more blessings than you can receive. Do we believe that God rewards generosity? Do we teach that to our children? Paul taught us that if you sow sparingly, you reap sparingly. Give and it will be given to you, Jesus taught.  To add to this basic economic truth, God has always required our first fruits which is normally the best fruit of our labor. Scraps and leftovers need not apply. Nothing speaks to this than that dirty pair of underwear someone throws into clothing drive bin.

Hoarding wealth is frowned upon. Building bigger barns is not as good as helping the beggar at your front gate. Lest we wonder if the poor, hungry, imprisoned, sick, and thirsty qualify for our generosity, Jesus reminds us that to serve them is to serve Him. One leg of the stool we talked about is sharing a portion of our income with God. We call it giving it back to Him. It is like a rotating investment. He gives it to us, and we give it back to Him, and He makes more, and gives it to us, and we give some back. It is the principle of multiplication seen at the feeding of the 5000 and 4000. It is the little boy with some fish and bread, giving it all, and going home with more.

Parents must model this one for their children. Being willing to give must be matched by actual giving, as Paul taught the Corinthians. Assume your children are willing to be givers. Yet they have no income. Parents do God’s work when they assign chores or give cash on birthdays, so the child has something to give back. When you place that $10 bill in their hands, follow with a question: “How will you use it?” Encourage the child to be specific. Some might go towards a one-time need of a friend, or it may be given to a mission they choose to support. Teach your child to let go of their money to help others. Make sure they understand this is a way of honoring God, not just blessing someone else.