Offering | Giving Jar: Helping Every Child Participate in Offering
Teach children that generosity begins with a willing heart, and even a small offering can represent a great sacrifice. This simple activity gives every child an opportunity to participate while encouraging a lifelong habit of giving.
Needed: A small jar filled with pennies and nickels.
Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6, KJV
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
1. Introduce Sowing and Reaping
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6 aloud. Explain that sowing means planting seeds, and reaping means gathering what grows.
Ask the children, “If you wanted to grow a large garden, would you plant just one seed or many seeds?”
Explain that Paul used planting and harvesting to teach about generosity. Encourage children to give willingly and generously from what they have.
Say something like: “When we give to God, we are helping support His work. We don’t give just to get something back. We give because we love Him, trust Him, and want to help others.”
Avoid promising that giving money will always result in receiving more money. God’s blessings come in many forms.
2. Explain That Small Offerings Matter
Tell the story of the widow who gave two mites in Mark 12:41–44. Explain that others gave larger amounts, but Jesus recognized her sacrifice because she gave all she had.
Hold up two pennies and ask, “Does this look like a lot of money?”
Explain: “Two pennies might seem like a little, but what if those two pennies were all you had? Jesus sees more than the amount. He sees your heart and what your gift means to you.”
Help children understand that generosity is not a competition. A child with a small offering can give just as sincerely as someone with a larger offering.
3. Introduce the Giving Jar
Hold up the jar of coins. Explain that it is available so everyone has an opportunity to participate in the offering.
Say: “If you didn’t bring an offering today, you may take a few coins from this jar and put them in the offering. We want everyone to have an opportunity to practice giving.”
Make the jar available without asking children to explain why they did not bring money. Avoid drawing attention to who uses it or comparing how much children give.
4. Encourage a Habit of Giving
Encourage children to plan ahead for the next service.
Say: “This week, talk with your parents or whoever takes care of you about bringing an offering. If you receive money, think about setting some aside to give to God. Your offering doesn’t have to be large to matter.”
Keep the emphasis on willingness, gratitude, and consistency. Children should feel encouraged to participate, even when their families cannot provide an offering.
