The way to give gifts and treasures
Children's sermon
Object:
a pocket search for valuable things a child might have and some gum or M & M's that you might trade for whatever you find of value
Good morning, boys and girls. We are going to have a surprise search this morning. I would like all of you to search your pockets or your purses and see what you have in them. (have children check pockets until you find a child who has something with him or her) We have some very interesting items here. (name the items)
I suppose you want to keep this, don't you? (let him/her answer) Would you give it as an offering to the church? (let him/her answer) You want to keep it? It's that important to you that you won't give it as your offering? Even if I told everyone in church today about what a fine young man/lady you are and how generous you can be? (let him/her answer) Do you think you might swap me for some gum or M & M's? (let him/her answer) Just think, the two of us could stand in front of the altar and pray something like this, "Dear God, I want to thank you for (mention his/her name), who is willing to give his/her treasure to the church so that everyone in town will know what a wonderful gift he/she gave." I am bragging to God about you and telling everyone how generous you are in your giving. How does that sound so far? (let him/her answer) Do you think God is happy about this? (let him/her answer)
I don't think so. The Bible teaches us that we should be generous in our giving to God but be very quiet about it. Some people do make a fuss about what they are giving but it sounds bad to friends and family and it certainly sounds bad to God. It's like praying in church. You don't want to hear people telling God how good they are and how important they are and how God is lucky to know them. Instead God says you should pray where no one can hear you or see you.
I want you to keep whatever you have in your pockets and purses. I just want you to think about the gift you want to give to God next week. When the ushers pass the offering plates next week, you can very quietly put your gift in and thank God in silence for sharing his life with you.
Giving is about God and you. Remember how generous God has been to you and all of the gifts that you have received from God. In the same way God would like for you to be generous and to share your gifts with others.
I suppose you want to keep this, don't you? (let him/her answer) Would you give it as an offering to the church? (let him/her answer) You want to keep it? It's that important to you that you won't give it as your offering? Even if I told everyone in church today about what a fine young man/lady you are and how generous you can be? (let him/her answer) Do you think you might swap me for some gum or M & M's? (let him/her answer) Just think, the two of us could stand in front of the altar and pray something like this, "Dear God, I want to thank you for (mention his/her name), who is willing to give his/her treasure to the church so that everyone in town will know what a wonderful gift he/she gave." I am bragging to God about you and telling everyone how generous you are in your giving. How does that sound so far? (let him/her answer) Do you think God is happy about this? (let him/her answer)
I don't think so. The Bible teaches us that we should be generous in our giving to God but be very quiet about it. Some people do make a fuss about what they are giving but it sounds bad to friends and family and it certainly sounds bad to God. It's like praying in church. You don't want to hear people telling God how good they are and how important they are and how God is lucky to know them. Instead God says you should pray where no one can hear you or see you.
I want you to keep whatever you have in your pockets and purses. I just want you to think about the gift you want to give to God next week. When the ushers pass the offering plates next week, you can very quietly put your gift in and thank God in silence for sharing his life with you.
Giving is about God and you. Remember how generous God has been to you and all of the gifts that you have received from God. In the same way God would like for you to be generous and to share your gifts with others.
