How To Leave a Legacy of Giving

Christmas is the time of the year when giving is on everyone’s mind, but it’s also a time that consumerism is at an all-time high.

Everywhere we turn, someone is telling us how important their product is. The pressure to buy is real!

TV and internet ads, billboards, direct mail, and other forms of advertising start to bombard us two months before Christmas arrives.

As a kid, the only form of advertisement I knew was the Penney’s and Sears catalogs. We didn’t have radio and TV, so sitting and paging through the magazines was our way of seeing what the hottest toys and latest gadgets were.

I’d turn the pages slowly while dreaming, wishing, and thinking maybe I’ll get a doll, bicycle, or coloring book.

I can almost feel the thrill of wishing! I also knew to receive a brand new toy was practically impossible for all eight of us kids. Most times, a gift at Christmas was a shared item for all of us to enjoy. It was seldom “mine” but rather “ours.”

In a culture of “mine,” it’s so important to be a “giving” role model. The future generations are looking to us to show them what it looks like to be authentically generous.

Givers, as I’ve learned, are not looking for “handouts.” They’re looking for opportunities to “handout.” Christmas is a perfect time to practice this!

Seize the moment and teach your children and grandchildren what giving looks like and look for opportunities to “handout.”

We did a few things during the Christmas season when our grandkids were younger to instill in them the joy of giving.

We baked and gave cookies to our neighbors. We choose gifts for children overseas through World Vision magazine. We went Christmas Caroling as a family. (A tradition that goes back as far as I can remember and continues today!)

One of the most memorable things we did with our grandkids was taking them to the mall to give away money. It was a teachable moment about generosity that continued for three years. You may not be able to do what we did, but I share this as an idea to spark generosity.

This trip to the local mall was focused on giving to others, not getting.

Our grandkids were between five and 12-years-old.

The grandkids were a bit nervous as we made our drive to the mall, and in the car, we had the conversation about Christmas being an opportunity to give more than you get.

We gave each of our grandkids five $20 bills to give it out randomly. (They could choose whether it went to one person or multiple people.)

We explained to them how fun it was to give and told them that during Christmas time, very often people don’t have enough money to buy the gifts they want for their children.

As young as they were, they understood what this meant.

I knew this way of giving was a stretch for them, but we talked through it, and by the time we got to the mall, they were up for the challenge.

Their question, of course, was, “Who do I give the money to?”

We always said to give it away to anyone you really notice.

I stayed in the background, watching them as they began to mingle with the shoppers but never let them out of my sight.

I was a bit doubtful they would be able to give all the money away as they began to interact with total strangers.

I watched them with joy when they courageously walked up to the shoppers. The surprised look of each person when these kids handed them money was hilarious, but our grandkids became more confident with each smile and thank you they received. (I think some shoppers may have thought it was a prank.)

One year, in particular, our oldest granddaughter was doing her best to give her money away but kept being rejected. I watched as she tried one more time and once again was denied by the person.

Then I noticed her intently talking with this lady. A minute later, she took the lady’s hand and began praying for her in the middle of the crowded mall. They hugged, and the lady wiped her tears as she walked away.

That night our granddaughter gave the gift of prayer to a lady who desperately needed it for Christmas. In time she gave the money away too, but for her, the greatest gift she gave was that prayer.

It goes to show that the ways to give are truly limitless.

On our drive home, we talked about the experience and the challenge of giving. The grandkids were surprised at how hard it was to give money away, but they all did it!

Our granddaughter said it was much easier to pray for someone than it was to give them money.

It was a Christmas memory I will never forget.

During this Christmas season, keep your eyes wide open, and you’ll see the needs all around you. Be quick to give a “handout” to anyone you notice.

Talk to your children and grandchildren about the practical ways they can give.

Make the Christmas season a time of great joy as you leave a legacy of giving.

Remember, “For unto us, a child is born. Unto us, a Son is given.”

Merry Christmas!

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