Nehemiah 10:39b “Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”

HOUSE KEEPING

Nehemiah and the believers in Jerusalem made vows that they would take care of the rebuilt Temple. It had gone so long in ruins that many had forgotten their responsibility to provide for the Priests and for the basics such as wood for the sacrifices and oil for the lamps.

Our children today normally do not get the opportunity to help clean or provide for the church in tangible ways. I remember earlier in my ministry when many church members would show up on Friday or Saturday at church to clean windows, sweep, vacuum and other basic duties. We have lost some of that today. That’s too bad. There are ALWAYS things that need to be done.

TEACHING MOMENT

In fact, why don’t you, Moms and Dads, ask a Pastor or the Facilities Director at your church what you as a family can do to help. I guarantee they have needs you can meet. Now, I must warn you. It may be cleaning toilets and mopping a floor. It may be setting a room for Sunday or cleaning out a closet. But these are all tasks around God’s House that need tending to.

Teaching our children to give of their time and energy is just as, if not more than, important as teaching them to give of their resources. Both are expected and both are needed. Ask your children tonight if they could help at church what they would want to do. Then find a way to get them to the church to do it.

There is just something about watching kids serve. They do it without expectation or reward. They just like doing it. How about you?