Using Talents Wisely

Act out the parable in Matthew 25:14-30.

Items needed: 8 pieces of paper about the size of dollars

Jesus told a parable about a man who was traveling to a far country so he gave talents (amounts of money) to three servants. As you read the verses, give the different amounts to three different kids. (If you don’t have three kids, use stuffed animals in the place of real people.)

Ask:

• What do you think this parable was teaching? (God expects each person to use what He has given them--time, money, talents--and not to waste them.)
• How can you use your money wisely? (You can give some of it to God (the church), to poor people, to help others.)

Envelope System

Teach your children about being good stewards using the envelope system. (Optional: You could use baby food jars, yogurt containers, or any other small containers.) Write “Give” on one, “Save” on one, and “Spend” on the last one.

Give your child an allowance, using coins (dimes are good).  If the allowance is one dollar, give them ten dimes.
Teach them to:

• Give 10% to God (put one dime in the give envelope)
• Save 10% (put one dime in the “save” envelope)
• Spend 80% (put eight dimes in the “spend” envelope).

Serving Chicken, Helping People

Eat at Chick-fil-A and tell your kids the story of S. Truett Cathy.
 
S. Truett Cathy is founder and chairman of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Cathy started the business in 1946, when he and his brother, Ben, opened an Atlanta diner known as The Dwarf Grill (later renamed The Dwarf House). Currently, there are more than 1,380 Chick-fil-A restaurants in 37 states and Washington, D.C. with more than $2.64 billion in sales.

Mr. Cathy lives by Bible principles and wants to use the money God has given him to help others. He started the WinShape Foundation to help young people. They give scholarships every year to 20-30 students wishing to attend Berry College. He has given more than $23.3 million in $1000 scholarships to Chick-fil-A restaurant employees since 1973. He has built a retreat center/camp to teach Bible principles. He teaches a Sunday School class to 13 year-old boys, as he has done for more than 50 years.

Mr. Cathy says, "Nearly every moment of every day we have the opportunity to give something to someone else--our time, our love, our resources. I have always found more joy in giving when I did not expect anything in return.”

Ask:

What can you give to help others? (money, smile, time to help them, work for them, play a game with them, listen to them, invite them to church, etc.)