Where Does It All Go? (Part 2)

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."

(Matthew 6:20)

Small children (and many adults) may have no idea how the church uses the money it receives through offerings. Young children may think these gifts are literally "stored in heaven." Before giving your family's next offering, tell your children how the church uses the gifts it receives.

Like many families, most churches have an annual spending plan that they call a budget. The spending plan is a way of setting priorities. In most churches, offerings pay for staff salaries and utility bills, buy educational materials, and cover maintenance expenses. A portion of the money helps the poor locally, nationally, and around the world. In addition, many churches support missionaries or the denominations and organizations sponsoring missionaries. Ask leaders in your congregation how the church reaches out to those in need at home and around the world.

Describe the ways that giving makes a difference in Christ's name. Don't give children a lot of statistics. Tell stories about what the money does. Help your children become informed, faithful, and joyful contributors to God's loving presence in this world. Celebrate with them that the offerings do make a difference for real people.

Questions for Discussion

• How does our church use the money we give? Do any of these uses surprise you?
• What does it mean to have "treasure in heaven"?
• How does our pastor spend his or her time? What sorts of things do pastors do? [Perhaps have the child ask the pastor and report back to the family table.]

Linda Holland is from Helena, Alabama.

Posted in2003.