Children's Bible Lessons on Generosity
Parents begin the process of teaching children to share generously with others through modeling the behavior. Parents, caregivers and teachers also encourage generosity through stories where the character shares with others. The Bible contains lessons with clear examples of generosity. Children listen to the Bible verses and learn the benefits of sharing to meet the needs of others.
Other People Are Reading
-
Caring for the Needy
-
In Deuteronomy 14:27-15:15, Moses told the Israelites to share liberally with the Levites in their community and with those who were poor or strangers in their town. He said that God would bless those who shared with a generous hand to all who were in need. Ask the children to think of things they might need if they were poor or new in town. Make a list of items each child says he would generously give. Pack up some of the items and take them to a homeless shelter or ministry that would share them with those in need.
God Repays Generosity
-
Proverbs 3:9-10 promises that the generous soul who honors God with the tithe will receive plenty from God. Proverbs 19:17 promised that God will repay what the generous man lends to the poor. Jesus takes this further in Luke 14:12-14 when he suggests that the rich should throw a banquet and invite the poor and those who have disabilities. Jesus says because the poor guests cannot repay by hosting a banquet of their own, God will bless the rich host with plenty. Children can see that God promises to repay those who deal with others generously without seeking a return.
-
Cheerful Givers
-
Paul commends the Corinthians for their generosity toward the Christians in Jerusalem. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul tells them to each determine what he can give and do so with a generous and loving heart, giving joyfully. God favors the cheerful giver with blessing and abundance so that the giver may continue to share his bounty with others. Children can bring their offerings to church as the Corinthians did so the church may provide for itself and for those who are in need. They can celebrate having the resources to share with others.
Shared Lunch
-
All four of the Gospels contain the feeding of the 5,000 men and their families fed by the lunch of a young boy. The two loaves and five fish provided enough to feed everyone and still have 12 small baskets left over. The story reminds children not to worry about the size of the gift compared to the size of the need, but to give generously and trust God to make the resource meet the need. Children could collect donations to send to a disaster location in response to the lesson.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
