Things Heard in the Classroom

Toward the beginning of the school year, I was subbing in 6th grade.  We were reading a story which was an excerpt from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  In the day's reading the little girl (who has not had food for several days) finds a coin & purchases six hot cross buns.  As she's getting ready to eat them she notices another little girl who is hungry and gives her all but one.  The teacher's manual said to discuss sacrificial giving.

I asked the children "Do you know what it means to sacrificially give?"

A student answered "10%".  Can you tell they have heard sermons on tithing?

I replied, "Yes we are to give 10% but sometimes 10% is not a sacrificial gift.  What if you were to receive $1,000,000.  10% of that would be $100,000.  That would leave you with $900,000.  That would not be a hardship."

To bring it to their level, I asked "what if you were to receive $45?  The local computer game store is running a sale on games.  They are $5/piece.  You have 9 games you want.  You need to tithe from the $45 which doesn't leave you with enough to purchase 9 games.  That would be giving sacrificial...only being able to purchase 8 games."

"Nine games is too many."

"Let's say you receive a basketball for your birthday.  You go outside to shoot some baskets when the little neighbor from across the road comes over.  You know his family doesn't have a lot of money.  He asks you if he can play with you.  You really want to use the ball first.  But you know you should share with him.  If you let him use the ball first that would be giving sacrificially because you would be sacrificing your chance to play with your new ball first."

"We don't play outside.  It's too hot & our parents are scared that someone will take us."  (When I'm relating this story to John, he reminds me that they have just purchased 8 computer games.  Of course they don't want to be outside!)

"There is a little old lady that lives across the street from you.  You have volunteered to wash her windows or mow her lawn.  You enjoy spending time with her and look forward to the day she selects.  But when the time comes to complete that chore, your favorite show is on TV.  You have to go and help her because you have promised but you are going to miss your show.  Going to help your neighbor right then would be sacrificial giving because you are not able to watch your favorite show."

"We'd just DVR the program to watch later."

With that I gave up trying to make sure the children understood sacrificial giving.  I left the classroom that day wondering if we are raising the next generation to not know the joy of giving (our time, talents, money) even though it may 'deprive' us of something we want.