FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS NEWSLETTER VOL. 10 NO. 2 MAR-APR 2005 A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR What do you understand when you hear or read the word, “contentment”? Maybe as a child or young adult you heard contentment as an admonition such as, “Be content with your stuff.” or “You’re never content!” or maybe you heard something from the pulpit that led you to question the type of vehicle you drive. My understanding of contentment has been a continual learning experience. The desire is that we, as Christians, make lifestyle decisions in light of what we believe would be God-honoring. Prayer is a major factor. I have also found it beneficial to have a good support system of friends who can help us in making appropriate lifestyle decisions. Our work at FirstFruits is generally in the area of the use of treasure. When we can answer the question of “how much is enough”, we will be well on our journey toward contentment. These are questions that bear discussion in all of our homes, especially if we want our children to understand true contentment. On the flip side, contentment does not mean a lack of ambition. There are numerous scripture passages which encourage us to seek ways to use all of our abilities and talents. The main thing is our desire to bring glory to God with all He has given us. ~ Norm Vander Wel RAISING CHEERFUL GIVERS This is fourth in a series of articles on “Raising Cheerful Givers”. Helping This is fifth in a series of articles on “Raising Cheerful Givers”. Helping our children understand financial principles will not only help them manage their money, but also become joyful stewards. CONTENTMENT DELAYED GRATIFICATION It is very easy for children and adults to think about all the things they want. It might be something someone else has or something shown on television. In a world where there are so many things, there is always something that is better than what we already have. Too often, the quest to have the best becomes all consuming – and ultimately less and less satisfying. Contentment does not come from material things. But that is a hard lesson to teach. So what does correlate with happiness? It is the attitude that Paul describes in Phil. 4:11-12 as learning to be content. When we are content with what we have, we are more likely to appreciate God’s gifts to us. But how can we demonstrate that fact to children? Even at an early age they experience the desire to have more and more, especially something someone else has. If that desire remains unchecked, it turns into ugly patterns of expectation and entitlement. It is unrealistic to expect our children not to be enticed by more things or to experience peer pressure as they get older. But children who don’t know how to control their appetites often become adults who are drowning in debt. As parents, it is our responsibility to model control techniques. One of these is delayed gratification. When children see Mom setting aside some money each week to make a major purchase – in fact, when they help Mom by charting the progress toward a goal - they become participants in delayed gratification. Such an exercise shows them how to work towards a goal and helps temper their appetite for more. With delayed gratification, there is a sense of responsibility and expectation. It teaches discipline, restraint and impulse control. They begin to realize how methodical savings can lead to a goal they can truly appreciate. As Dr. David G. Myers states in his book, The Pursuit of Happiness, “Happiness depends less on having things than on our attitude toward the things we have.” He also notes that well-being is something other than being well-off. Helping our children examine what is meaningful and then having the courage to confront the corrosive quest to always want the best brings a sense of contentment to our children and to our families. ? TOOLS FOR TEACHING KIDS CONTENTMENT Following are three discussion ideas that may help you in teaching children to be content with what they have. 1. Talk about some of the commercials you see on television together. Is the goal of advertising to make us feel good or to sow seeds of discontent with ourselves, others or our possessions? Talk about how companies market their products. 2. Have one special dinnertime a week where each family member shares a list of things God has given him or her. Share your thankfulness to God together. 3. Talk about peer pressure and the desire for “in” products. Are these items really better than others? Help your children feel good about themselves for who they are, not for what they have. GIVING IN SMALL WAYS Stewardship is not about large giving but gifts in small ways, too. A child’s gift, although small, gives glory to God in many ways. Stewardship does not have to be in monetary ways. A gift of time to an elderly shut-in serves the Lord, too. A gift of a loaf of bread to a homeless family could mean the difference between going to bed hungry or going to bed satisfied. ?Used by Permission, Parish Publishing LLC, 12/04 TIPS TO TRY Clever cost-cutting ideas to use at home: Planting garlic or onions around rose bushes and other plants particularly susceptible to aphids can help prevent infestations. If you leave it alone, the garlic and onion will come up year after year. After purchasing jeans for kids, go ahead and apply those iron-on patches to the inside part of the knee. It will be a little stiff in that area, but the jeans will never get holes in the knee because of the extra layer of fabric. Cucumbers. To extend the life of a cucumber once it has been cut open, wrap it in a paper towel. The cucumber will not get soggy for up to 2 weeks. Garden tools. Keep a bucket of sand sprinkled lightly with mineral oil in the shed or garage where you store your garden tools. When you’re done using the tools, scour them with a bit of the sand to keep them clean and rust-free. RECOMMENDED RESOURCE The Word on Finances” Larry Burkett Larry Burkett has organized an invaluable collection of relevant Scriptures into one easy-to-reference volume. There are more than 70 topics arranged under eight comprehensive headings. A concordance focuses attention on key issues of finance and stewardship. Burkett’s practical wisdom opens each topical selection. $15.00 Order from Crown Ministries at www.crown.org (click on Store, and then “Budgeting”)