II Kings 12:9 “But Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in its lid and put it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of the Lord; and the priests who guarded the threshold put in it all the money which was brought into the house of the Lord.”

Don’t you love to give to others? Don’t you love to see the smile on their face when they receive the gift? Don’t you love it especially when they know how much you enjoy giving to them?

It’s the same way with the Lord. He loves to receive from us. He doesn’t NEED anything we have to give, but He loves to see us giving to Him out of a loving and gracious heart. You know our gifts to Him, whatever they are and whatever the amount, please Him.

The people had not been giving as they should have to restore the Temple. The king went to the priests and basically said, “Enough of this! Let’s get this done!” So they brought out a chest to collect the gifts. It took a visible object beside the altar to stir the people to give.

How do we as Parents encourage our kids to give? How do we stir their hearts to give to the Lord? Some kids are just natural givers while others squeeze Lincoln until he squeals, as my daddy use to say. How do we show our kids the joy of giving?

Well, they watch us. Now, I’m not just talking about money. We can give in all kinds of ways. Some can give money. Others give time. Still others give of their skills and talents. Find a way for your kids to give to the Lord. And when they do, celebrate that with them. Praise them for their faithfulness. Find ways to bless them so they will be encouraged to give even more.

Perhaps you can make a box for your house where the kids can put money for missions or the homeless. Make it visible! Set a goal! Let them see how the money is used once they collect it. You will be setting them on a lifetime journey of giving that can continue for generations.