Every year for the last bunch of years, we have walked in the local Memorial Day parade with our local food pantry. We walk with Cash Man, a local superhero who educates citizens that cash donations to the food pantry are better than cans because the food pantry can buy more cans for less money, and they can buy exactly what they need, rather than old canned prunes from the back of someone's pantry. You can learn more about that, including a funny video here.
Jeb, who is always full of questions, was asking why we held signs that said "donate cash" and "1 can feeds one, $1 feeds 10". We explained to him that some people don't have money for food, but since we do have money for food, we like to share some of our money with those who don't, and we encourage others to share what they have too. We had a few conversations about it over the course of the morning. We've had similar conversations about why we tithe to our church, and a couple of weeks ago in our homeschooling when our bible verse for the week was 'God loves a cheerful giver' from 2 Corinthians. We have been blessed with more than what we need, and we love to give to others who don't have what they need, and we do it with a happy heart.
During the parade, there are always a lot of people who want to donate cash to Cash Man during the parade, which is always an amazing thing to watch. Jeb walked in the parade the entire way without complaining, and was able to see adults and children coming out with their money to share. I was able to explain to him that these people had enough food and money and were willing to share their money with people who don't have enough food.
On the way home, Jeb asked again why we 'give cash' and we explained it again. He said "I want to give my money to people for food". We told him that was very generous and that he is a cheerful giver. Then he said "I have a lot of money, I can share with people who don't have food."
Jeb has collected a decent amount of coins in the last couple of weeks. He has been begging for a puppy, and we told him that if he does an extra chore (on top of his daily chores) and works really hard, he can earn a coin, and when his bank is full of coins, he'll have enough for a puppy. So he has been working really hard, doing extra chores like picking up rocks outside or helping Eric with yard work. When he sets his mind to something, he really works for it, and he is determined to earn that puppy!
So I was really surprised when he said "Mommy, I don't want to use my money to buy a puppy. I want to give my money to people that need food. I will save for a puppy later."
My little 4 year old boy had learned about being generous, and that some people don't have money for the things they need, like food. Then he thought about his money, his hard earned coins, and realized that he could earn more money for his puppy another time, and that he would rather share all of his coins with people in need.
We told him that he didn't have to give all of his money if he didn't want to, that it was ok if he only gave some of his money, but he was insistent that he wanted to share all of his money with other people, and that he would earn more money later. He also insisted that he had to share his money right away. So, he got his bank from his bedroom, and rode his bike down to Bapa's house. He told Bapa his plan, and said "Look, I have a lot of money for people!" and poured all 24 cents out into Bapa's hand. Bapa (who also happens to be Cash Man) thanked him for his donation and promised to give it to the people who need food.
Wouldn't it be great if we all had that attitude? To know that we have been blessed with more than we need, and we can always earn more later, so why not share all of what we have with the needy?
Jeb, who is always full of questions, was asking why we held signs that said "donate cash" and "1 can feeds one, $1 feeds 10". We explained to him that some people don't have money for food, but since we do have money for food, we like to share some of our money with those who don't, and we encourage others to share what they have too. We had a few conversations about it over the course of the morning. We've had similar conversations about why we tithe to our church, and a couple of weeks ago in our homeschooling when our bible verse for the week was 'God loves a cheerful giver' from 2 Corinthians. We have been blessed with more than what we need, and we love to give to others who don't have what they need, and we do it with a happy heart.
During the parade, there are always a lot of people who want to donate cash to Cash Man during the parade, which is always an amazing thing to watch. Jeb walked in the parade the entire way without complaining, and was able to see adults and children coming out with their money to share. I was able to explain to him that these people had enough food and money and were willing to share their money with people who don't have enough food.
On the way home, Jeb asked again why we 'give cash' and we explained it again. He said "I want to give my money to people for food". We told him that was very generous and that he is a cheerful giver. Then he said "I have a lot of money, I can share with people who don't have food."
Jeb has collected a decent amount of coins in the last couple of weeks. He has been begging for a puppy, and we told him that if he does an extra chore (on top of his daily chores) and works really hard, he can earn a coin, and when his bank is full of coins, he'll have enough for a puppy. So he has been working really hard, doing extra chores like picking up rocks outside or helping Eric with yard work. When he sets his mind to something, he really works for it, and he is determined to earn that puppy!
So I was really surprised when he said "Mommy, I don't want to use my money to buy a puppy. I want to give my money to people that need food. I will save for a puppy later."
My little 4 year old boy had learned about being generous, and that some people don't have money for the things they need, like food. Then he thought about his money, his hard earned coins, and realized that he could earn more money for his puppy another time, and that he would rather share all of his coins with people in need.
We told him that he didn't have to give all of his money if he didn't want to, that it was ok if he only gave some of his money, but he was insistent that he wanted to share all of his money with other people, and that he would earn more money later. He also insisted that he had to share his money right away. So, he got his bank from his bedroom, and rode his bike down to Bapa's house. He told Bapa his plan, and said "Look, I have a lot of money for people!" and poured all 24 cents out into Bapa's hand. Bapa (who also happens to be Cash Man) thanked him for his donation and promised to give it to the people who need food.
Wouldn't it be great if we all had that attitude? To know that we have been blessed with more than we need, and we can always earn more later, so why not share all of what we have with the needy?
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