Tag Archives: Generosity

The Lesson Plan – Kristi Buttles
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A giving heart mimics Christ

So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul—teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates… Deuteronomy 11:13, 19-20

“By the way, Mom, I’ve volunteered to bring snacks and drinks to church for the next two Sundays,” my daughter casually remarked on her way to the car.

Inside, I freaked. What? More snacks. More drinks. My knee-jerk reaction was harsh, though I kept it internal. I was in the throes of providing snacks for two different soccer teams, delivering meals to sick friends and family, having friends over for dinner, and participating in our school’s food drive. I didn’t have more time, more energy, or more money to give.

My emotions waffled between frustration and angst over my daughter’s actions. I wanted to have a voice in this decision. Now I was fully committed. However, the Lord gave me eyes to see things from an entirely different perspective—His. He showed me my daughter’s giving heart. She didn’t hesitate to help provide for the large group of middle schoolers.

The reasons for her attitude are two-fold. God has given her the gift of hospitality. She happily shares whatever she has. She doesn’t keep score about what she gives or what she receives. Secondly, giving freely is something my husband and I try to teach our children, leading by example. Helping others is obedience to God. It’s our responsibility as parents to help our children learn this truth.

It isn’t easy. Being selfless certainly isn’t a trait we’re born with. Looking out for the interest of others requires humility and intentionality. It also requires overcoming our own selfishness of time, energy, and expense.

God must have chuckled at my inner tantrum. He reminded me the lessons we’ve teamed up to teach are working. I could hear Him say, “You want your children to be openly generous, caring, and helpful. There’s so much more to giving. It’s what you’ve worked so hard for all these years.”

Wow. I got the message and laughed at myself. My perspective completely changed. I was more than happy to supply what she needed to take to her church group. I am delighted that, not only does my daughter want to do this, but she assumes I will be fine with it too—and I am.
Think about the biblical concepts you’re teaching those in your life. When you see God moving, don’t hinder His work. Celebrate the progress.

Kristi Buttles is a freelance writer and photographer and has been published in the books Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust and Faith & FAMILY: A Devotional Pathway for Families. Her passion is global missions, having traveled to Kenya and Ukraine on mission trips and she can’t wait to see where God leads her family next. She’s involved in local missions and several ministries in her home church. Kristi has been married for twenty-two years and she and her husband Bruce share the adventure of raising three wonderful children. Kristi received her B.A. from the University of South Florida. She has written a Bible study, non-fiction, fiction, and a children’s book. Her heart in service is tender toward childhood parent loss and trauma (including death, divorce, abandonment, and major sudden loss) based on her own personal experience. She also speaks to women’s groups with emphasis on Christian living, parenting, and family missions. Visit Kristi’s blog at www.RealDeepStuff.com.

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A Child’s Heart – Cathy Biggerstaff
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Share with a child's heart

Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3 ESV

The meeting ran far too long for the antsy seven-year-old. He had amused himself for as long as he could. His mother, part of a creative writers’ group that met every Friday morning, brought D.J. to the meeting because there was no school that day.

One of the group members rewarded D.J.’s patience with two quarters for the gumball machine. He grabbed the money and ran off in the direction of the machines. He beamed with joy as he ran back to the table to open the plastic capsules and retrieve the prizes hidden inside. The child’s joy was so infectious we all reached for our wallets to see if we had any quarters we could give him. D.J. ended up with eight quarters which he promptly made use of.

The Bible tells us in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become like children. Being child-like is not to be confused with being childish. Children are trusting, joyful, and generous and we are never too old to display those qualities. In fact, the Lord requires it.

D.J.’s whole face was alive with happiness as he came back to the table with his prizes. Imagine our surprise when D.J. gave all of his prizes to us. He didn’t keep any for himself. The pure motive of his child’s heart was to share his happiness. The more he gave away, the broader his smile became.

True joy comes from blessing others. Follow this little boy’s example and share with others, blessing them in whatever ways you can.

Prayer: Lord, give me a child-like heart that wants to bless others today.

Cathy Biggerstaff is a numbers person by profession but her love of children drives her to write children’s stories and children’s ministry curriculum. Christian devotions and poetry round out her writing experience. She has been published in Mature Living Magazine, company newsletters, and church devotional materials. Cathy is co-director of The Encouragers Christian Writers Group. She loves sharing The Good News as a Christian clown with Silly Over the Savior Clown Troupe. Contact Cathy at hiskid410@gmail.com.

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The Making of a Christmas Memory – Virginia Smith
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When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

I was nine-years-old when my family’s most important tradition began. My mom invited four mentally disabled boys to our house for Christmas Eve. She told my seven-year-old sister and me that we were going to create a special Christmas for those boys because they didn’t have families of their own. I know now that she also wanted to demonstrate the true meaning of the season for her young daughters.

We shopped and cooked for days. When our guests arrived there were gifts under the tree and a banquet on the table. Their eyes shone as they stared at our beautiful tree, and their delighted laughter filled the house when they opened their presents. For the first time, I got more joy out of watching someone else’s delight than in receiving my own gifts. They had so little, and they enjoyed everything with abandon.

Mom had prepared a special celebration to end the evening. We all gathered around a special cake in the center of the kitchen table. What would Jesus’ birthday cake be but angel food? A golden angel sat atop the fluffy icing, resting on a gauzy white cloud and surrounded by candles – one for every century since Jesus’ birth. Mom lit the candles and doused the lights. We held hands and joined her in a verse of Silent Night. When that song ended, we launched into a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to Jesus. But before the last notes, the cloud caught fire. While four mentally disabled boys and two impressionable little girls watched, the beautiful angel went up in flames like a miniature Joan of Arc. Hardly the memory Mom had worked so hard to create.

That Christmas will always stand out as one of my most memorable, not because of the evening’s fiery finish, but because of the awe in those boys’ eyes, and the joy in their laughter. Every Christmas Eve since, my family has sung Happy Birthday to Jesus. Beloved faces shine around the table in the light of the candles on the Savior’s birthday cake, just as His light illuminates our lives all year long. I never fail to remember that the reason for Christmas is to celebrate His light coming into the world to shine on all mankind.

These days we have a fire-proof angel, though.

Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen Christian novels and over fifty articles and short stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes in fiction, Ginny writes in a variety of styles, from lighthearted relationship stories to breath-snatching suspense. Learn more about Ginny and her books at. www.VirginiaSmith.org or connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ginny.p.smith. Read Ginny’s devotions.