The Sharing Sack
In Matthew
25:35-40, Jesus teaches us that whenever you share with others who really need
your help, it's just like you are sharing with Him. But so many families have
an "out of sight, out of mind" mentality. Kids have no idea how poor and
deprived many people are these days, even living in their same communities.
That's why
it's a great idea to have a "Sharing Sack" in your home. It can be a paper sack
that the kids decorate with stickers and markers. Keep it in a central location
where everyone will see it every day - perhaps in the closet where you keep
your coats, or in the laundry room.
Each week,
perhaps on Sunday evenings, each person in the family should try to put three
things in the sack: perhaps an item of out-grown clothing, an unsharpened
pencil, a book, a game, a small toy, a stuffed animal, a pretty marble, a can
of food, and so forth.
When the
sack is full, kids will enjoy accompanying parents to drop it off at a
gathering spot such as the Salvation Army, a homeless shelter, halfway house or
veterans' group.
Then make
another sack - and a habit of sharing will be "in the bag."