Hey CityChurch Family
My name is Jorge Galvan and I have been serving in CityKids for two years now. I have two daughters Nadia (10) and Mia (8) and they both attend CityKids Services.
A while back Jeremiah and I discuss the possibility of receiving an offering during CityKids services to start implementing that concept into their lives at an early age. Jeremiah implemented it and we have been doing it for about a year now.
When kids get older and attend youth and adult services, I want them to know the concept of being generous with their finances and understand that everything we have is from God and we are to be good managers of it. “Good managers” is making wise decisions that Glorify God with what God has shared with us.
Another reason is for them to experience how rewarding it is to be generous instead of hoarding it. We teach that every time we give we become more are more like Jesus, because ultimately God was a giver when he gave us Jesus, and really when we give its not about how much we give or what the money is funding, it is about working on our own hearts to be a cheerful giver, and have joy when we give, and not do it out of obligation but out of an opportunity to become more like Christ and ultimately putting our Trust in the Lord.
I didn’t understand this concept when I was 10 years old, I learned this in my late 20s. My goal is for kids to grasp the concept of generous giving now, instead of in their late twenties or later, because they can start making an impact now in those around them and in themselves. So, when they are older they will not depart from it and have experiences from their upbringing that they can glean from and remind them that God is for them no matter what comes their way. Life is hard so the sooner we instill biblical principles into our children the better they will know how to handle situations when they arise when they are older.
Living a generous life is counterculture, and kids are not afraid to shine a light in this dark world. The more light we have the better.
Some tips to try at home are outlined below:
- Be an example to your kids in living a generous life and talk about it to them. Buy that stranger lunch in front of your kids and I think those experience will resonate in their minds.
- Create a chore chart for your children and reward them financially once they chore is done with a good attitude.
- Create 3 envelopes for your kids so once they get paid, 10% can go into their Tithing envelope, 10-20% for their Saving Envelope, and 70-80% for their spending Envelope.
- Take your kids with you when serving to instill those traits now that is always better to give than to receive.
- With kids being limited with funds, their time and is way more valuable, start at home by instilling that servant like attitude towards their siblings and friends and even though they might not have the funds but they do have time to give.
- Make sure they are sharing with others to understand that God has blessed them and its even better to share that blessing.
I think the more we teach our kids to be givers with their time, money, and possessions the more their
lives will be fulfilled, and God’s best will be guiding them.
Be Blessed !
Malachi 3:10 NLT
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!