Giving for God

 
Joseph may only be 9-years old, but he can beat most teenagers at video games.  His friends call him a video game GENIUS!  When Joseph heard that his favorite video game was coming out with a “Part 2 Sequel“, he became very excited.

 “Mom.  Mom, can I get the Part 2 Video Game Sequel?”

 “How much does it cost?”  His mother asked.

 “Only sixty dollars,” Joseph told her, hoping she’d say, “yes.”

 “Only???  Sixty dollars is a lot of money.  If you really want it, then you’re going to have to buy it yourself.”

 “Where am I going to get sixty dollars?”  Joseph moaned.

 “Do what your father and I do… WORK”

 Joseph thought about it and then got a great idea– he would do chores for people around the neighborhood—he offered to cut their grass, take out their trash, and walk their dogs.  He ended up doing A LOT of work!  When it was time for the Part 2 Video Game Sequel to come out, Joseph had made $75.00 from all his efforts.

 The day before the game came out, Joseph couldn’t stop talking about it.  He saw his friend Eric on the playground, so he quickly ran up to him.

 “Hey, Eric, are you getting the Part 2 Video Game?”

 Eric began to blush.  “Uh, no… um… my parents both lost their jobs.  We don’t have any money.  My Dad just had to sell his car so we can get food.”

 Joseph was shocked.  Eric was his good friend.  He had no idea that Eric was poor and his family didn’t have enough to eat.  He didn’t know what to say.

 “Uh… that’s too bad.  I’m gonna get the video game tomorrow… uh… bye.”

 Joseph walked away feeling sad.   He wished there was something he could do…

“Wait a minute!”  Joseph said to himself.  “There is something I can do.”  He went home and took his $75.00 from its secret hiding place and put it in an envelope.  Then he wrote on the envelope: “To: Eric and his family.  From: A friend of Jesus.” 

He put the envelope in Eric’s front door, rang the doorbell and hid.  He saw Eric open the door and take the envelope inside. 

 Joseph was the happiest he’d ever been in his whole life.  He finally discovered the joy of giving for God.  No video game can even come close to being this fun.

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Learn-A-Long Lesson

Do you like getting presents?  I know I do.  I remember when I was a kid I wasn’t able to sleep the night before Christmas because I was so excited about the presents I was going to receive the next day.  It’s nice to get presents, but guess what… it’s even better to give presents.

I know it’s hard for most kids to understand, but it’s SO TRUE.  It’s better to give than receive.

The Bible says that if you ever do anything good for people, like give them clothes when they’re cold, or a drink when they are thirsty—you are giving those things to Jesus.  That’s because Jesus is God, and God is in everyone’s heart. 

Be sure to remember this the next time you see someone who needs your help—Every time you give to someone, you are giving to Jesus Christ.  Every time you provide for someone, you are providing for Jesus Christ.  Every time you help someone, you are helping Jesus Christ.

Some people give just to show off and get attention.  Don’t do this!  The only reason to give is because you really want to help someone.  Be sure to always give cheerfully.  If giving to someone is going to make you grumpy, it’s better if you don’t give at all.  

A person who only gives a penny because that’s all they have is better than a rich person who gives a hundred dollars so they can get attention. 

So please please please– give all you can to those in need, and be sure to give with a smile, and of course, give with lots and lots of love.

“Giving for God” Bible Verse

Proverbs 19:17 

“He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,
      And He will pay back what he has given.”

REAL LIFE SCENARIO
Check out this video of three kids who gave up part of their vacation to give to other children in need.

Giving for God- Pack Leaders

 You can find more Pack Leaders videos in the God’s Pack Videos Pages.