p. 4 | Teach Children to Give

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 17, 1910

Teach Children to Give

THERE are many Christian people who greatly neglect one thing in the education of their children. Parents who themselves may be reasonably generous, and disposed to give their substance to the needy and for the gospel of Christ, never teach their children this lesson. Whatever is given, is given by the father, and no one else has anything to give. The result is that when the father ceases to give, all benevolence is likely to end. Worse than this, children are trained in selfishness and worldliness, and sometimes the sad spectacle is exhibited of children living for themselves, wasting their substance, perhaps ruining their health, and sometimes quarreling over the graves of their parents for possession of the little that is left.

Much of this evil might, probably, be prevented, if parents would train their children to be prudent and generous, to earn money, and to save and take care of it, and to count themselves, young as they may be, as stewards of the Lord.

Children are imitative; it is easy to teach them to be kind and generous and loving, to count all which they have as given by the good hand of God, and to remember that they are also responsible to him for the use they make of his gifts.

Parents, take your children into your confidence; make them understand the sin of robbing God in tithes and offerings, and the importance of doing good to all as they have opportunity, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Then you may expect the blessing of God upon your children as well as upon yourself; and when advancing years shall leave you unable to bear the burdens and responsibilities of life, your place may be filled by your children, who will live to bless the world, and honor your memory.—Selected.