This morning at breakfast as I leafed through my Bible I found a thousand colones (about $2) stuck between Philippians and Colossians. Nobody could remember how it got there—but now our family was now just a little richer! We all suggested various uses for our newfound wealth (mostly centering on Club Penguin memberships) and then I got ready for work. But a few minutes later, as Isaiah left for school, he handed me a homemade envelope containing the thousand colones and the note you see above. He had decided where the money should be spent!
For me this was more than just a cute, heartwarming kid story. Jodi and I believe that a central part of parenting means teaching our children, as Jesus put it, “to obey everything I have commanded.” And Jesus commanded giving to the poor repeatedly and emphatically.
But trying to share these Gospel values is tricky. If we decide that our giving commitments mean no room in the family budget for a Wii, will the kids become embittered towards this Jesus Who Robs Us of the Games All Our Friends Have?
So it’s really encouraging to see instances like Isaiah’s note in which it’s clear that he “gets it,” even just at the level of a seven-year-old. But in some ways, that’s just what I’m striving for too.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” –Matthew 19:14
