Mom Heart Moments #180

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.

WE ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE to be around a whiner or selfish person who has to be treated special, whose needs must always be met for them to be happy. Perhaps you are married to a selfish person —or maybe you are one! Most selfish adults come from homes where the selfishness was not curbed or trained out.

How do we teach our children to give up their belongings, their time, their lives to others?

1. Teach your children to share and help one another from the very beginning. “You are such a strong boy, and I can see that Joy needs your help. Would you please help her carry her box of toys to her room?” “More people came to this gathering than the hosts expected. Let’s stay back and let the others eat first, so we can be sure there is enough for all the people who came. We can order a pizza on the way home.”
2. Teach your children Bible stories and hero stories about those who gave, such as the little boy who gave his lunch so Jesus could feed the five thousand. Show your children that Jesus looked out on the crowd and had compassion, and say, “I wonder who needs our compassion. Let’s look out for people God brings our way to encourage, or to give something to.”
3. Plan real ways for them to give and share. Have them give up their rooms when company comes and sleep on the floor of your bedroom. Then praise them, of course! Let praying for, loving, encouraging, and serving others be the oxygen of your home.

Teaching them to live like this takes years and lots of time and planning, but you will give them the gift of an unselfish heart that serves and character that will give them contentment and self-control for the rest of their lives.

How might you offer your children an opportunity to share or give today?