I’m not an expert on kids, but since I have ten of them I can probably speak as more of an expert than most! Whether it’s my kids, or someone else’s, there’s one thing that never really seems to change. Once a child starts to learn who they are in the world, one of the first words they learn is “mine!” It’s amazing how quickly cute little Johnny or sweet little Jenny can become almost rabid as they jerk a toy away from someone else and scream “mine!” Generosity is not something many of us are born with. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that we’re born just the opposite–selfish and prideful! God, in His goodness, gives most of us much more than we even know what to do with. All He asks in return is for us to be generous to those who are less fortunate. As a parent, I’m always trying to teach my children to share, and to be generous with what they have. As a minister, I think I have much more luck working with the children than I do with most adults! Unless God does a miraculous work in our hearts, most adults grow up still stocking things away, essentially still yelling “mine,” but usually more covertly. If only we’d learn that it’s not the recipient of our generosity that receives the most, but actually the giver! By being selfish with what we’ve been given we mock God, and we rob ourselves of the blessing of giving!
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:15
In Christ,
PastorJimKilby @Kilbin8er
Jim@JamesKilby.com
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