A Child’s Heart

A Child’s Heart

Many years ago I attended a small church. A deacons son (who was around five years) wanted to put $10.00 in the offering plate. Now, he had earned the $10.00 and if he wanted to put $10.00 in put it into the offering plate and give to the Lord’s work-he should have been allowed too. Well, at least that is my point of view.

II Corinthians 9:7 ”Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

A Child’s Heart

Many years ago I attended a small church. A deacons son (who was around five years) wanted to put $10.00 in the offering plate. Now, he had earned the $10.00 and if he wanted to put $10.00 in put it into the offering plate and give to the Lord’s work-he should have been allowed too. Well, at least that is my point of view.

As the offering plate came to him (his mother noticed what he planned to give) - his mother grabbed his hand and asked: “Where is your dollar?” He pointed to his billfold. His mother told him to give his $1.00 and to keep his $10.00. The Lord only needs 10% of what he had earned. So, with a sad look in his eyes -he gave the $1.00 instead of the $10.00. This child learned a lesson that day did not glorify God and taught him to give only what was required. In my opinion the child was not taught the joy of giving and the sacrifice of giving to the Lord with a joyful heart. It is important to set a good example for children - show your children it’s important to give to the Lord with a cheerful heart and to give what the Lord places on your heart - which may be more or less than 10%.

This is just my opinion - but this mother robbed her child of an opportunity to give and receive a special blessing from the Lord. Unless, we come to the Lord with the heart of a child - we will not know the Lord. What kind of example are you setting for your child? Are you putting the Lord first in your life?

Matthew 18:1-6 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

II Corinthians 9:7 ”Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”