It’s the Season of Giving; What Kind of Role Model Will You Be?
The season of giving is upon us. It’s a time to either focus on what people will be giving us or on what we will give to others. As adults, we are role models to the kids around us. What will we teach them about giving? Will it be all about us or about those around us and in our communities? Will we give out of obligation or will it come from our hearts?
Paul says in 1 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. To help you think about how you will give during the holiday season, we are providing you with a list of things you can do with your kids or congregation.
- Donation drives and giving trees are popular this time of year. As you collect food, clothing and toys, consider what the special populations in your community might need. Perhaps you can add an additional drive to your giving activities. Are there children who need books or school supplies? Would those hospital- or home-bound enjoy games or art materials?
- What gifts, time and talents can you give to others? If you are good at cooking, make a healthy meal for a family who doesn’t have the time or resources to provide one for their family. Come alongside those who are in need of your knowledge and provide tutoring services, computer instruction, or help with plumbing or electrical issues.
- Provide kids with colored pencils, crayons and paper and have them make cards for the elderly in nursing homes. Or, for the older kids, organize a time for them to go to a nursing home and help the elderly write out their Christmas cards.
- If you play an instrument or sing, where could you volunteer your time to bring the joy of music to others?
- Jesus taught about the widow who donated her last two coins. What are you able to financially give to spread the Gospel and love of Christ? If there is a ministry dear to your heart, prayerfully consider what you could donate. Consider the programs at your church or your local Awana ministry, or give to Awana Clubs International to reach clubs around the world.
- Get really creative this year and think about ways you might combine these mentioned ideas. Are there several people in your congregation who can bake pies? Do as one Awana church partner does and auction off the pies, donating the proceeds to Awana clubs in a specific region of the world. Or plan a children’s event at your church on a Saturday and give single parents the opportunity to get some of their Christmas shopping and chores accomplished, without the expense of babysitting or toting little ones along.
When you begin to seriously and joyfully consider others and what you have available to offer them, the ideas for giving are endless. And isn’t that worth modeling?
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (Deuteronomy 15:10)
Carla’s work at Awana has been on the communications and marketing teams. It is important to her that Awana leaders and volunteers have the information they need to best disciple the kids in their care, and that these kids grow to become disciplemakers, themselves. When Carla is not at work, she enjoys walking with friends, taking pictures of birds and sunsets, or exploring new places with her husband and daughter.
