Some of the MillsKIDS parents and volunteer teachers for the past couple of years have been in conversation about how to teach our kids about tithes and offerings. And how can our practices on Sunday mornings line up with God's command to bring our tithes and offerings into God's house? How do we practice bringing both the tithe and the offerings?
This year in our MillsKIDS Sunday Schools of Discipleship, a way to teach and demonstrate this has become clearer.
First, every Sunday, each class will have a basket which represents the tithe. Teachers will talk periodically about the fact that God calls his people to bring a tithe of ten percent of their earnings to the church. In our kindergarten and first grade class, we reinforced what this means with a visual. We held up popsicle sticks and pretended that this represented all the money we have. Then one popsicle stick would represent one tenth of what we had. We talked about how God wants us to bring one tenth of our money all through our lives to His church. We talked about how the money is used. But the main point is that bringing our tithes to God's church is an act of trust. It is saying to God, "I believe you and I trust that the rest is enough for me." We will continue this conversation about the tithe. As older kids begin receiving an allowance, they can set aside their tithe to bring to church. Or, your family may have another system of bringing your tithe to church.
Second, offerings are gifts beyond the regular tithe. We bring offerings when we see a need and God prompts our hearts to help to meet that need. In the Bible story, there were several times in the year where God would command His people to bring offerings above and beyond the regular tithe of ten percent. These were times of celebration of God's abundant provision or extra practices to help meet the needs of the poor and needy, a reminder that we are all poor and needy without God.
Along with the basket for the tithes, the MillsKIDS classes will periodically have an offering bin labeled with an opportunity for kids to bring objects of offering to help meet a particular need. This Sunday, Oct. 16, we will begin collecting small hygiene items, school supplies, and toys for Operation Christmas Child boxes. These items represent offerings, in addition to the tithe. On November 20th, we will package our boxes together to be sent overseas to children who would otherwise receive no gifts for Christmas. For more information about Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
This practice of bringing tithes and offerings to church is intended to initiate conversations in your homes. My prayer is that your family will discover the joys of tithing and giving, and most importantly, that you will see God together through your acts of obedience.
Just this week in my own times with Jesus, I was reminded of God's constant care for His people as they follow His ways. Psalm 37:25 says, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."
I know this to be true and I have seen God's care for my family. Blessings to you and your families as you follow in the ways of Jesus together.
Jana Hoober
MillsKIDS Director
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