The kids had been given some money recently. I am talking, a few dollars here and there, and change from Easter eggs all beginning to crowd my counter.
It inspired a craft idea.
We used markers (aka: the most exciting thing EVER in my house) to decorate the white side of some wrapping paper, wrapped our old kleenex boxes and put holes in the top.
It was in the moment that I was about to give them the money to put into these self made piggy banks that I realized we would need to count our money so they could tithe accordingly.
Wait... I needed to teach them about tithing.
Kumu and I have always tithed off of "their" money for them, but Keaka was old enough now to understand the idea.
I cannot put into words the joy I felt as I was able to explain to my kids what it meant to give back to God out of all that He has given us.
Some people might look at our lifestyle or physical possessions and think we are poor. We live in a small home and rely on the generosity of others for our basic needs so we can do our part to fulfill the Great Commission.
If you ask us, we have all that we need. God has never failed us or left us in want. He has always supplied our needs.
I am rich in so many ways, and believe God when He says to test Him in this (tithing).
It may not seem like much to me, but for Keaka to hand back all those precious coins was a sacrifice. He understood though that He was giving back to God from what God had given him. When he gave, he put all that change in the offering basket with delight.
Leiahi is still too young to fully understand, but she definitely delighted in the new game we were playing :)
These are the priceless moments.
Psalm 37:25
"I was young and now am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."
2 Corinthians 9:7
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Malachi 3:10
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
