It’s time to do good! Let us help our children benefit from our own experience. This is the appeal made by District Apostle Helper Arnaud Martig with respect to our 2025 motto.
In his annual address, the Chief Apostle said, “Parents only want the best for their children. What could be better for the next generation than teaching them the love of Jesus and the value of Christ’s church? Even though it is not easy these days, let us help them to come to grips with their salvation and to shape their faith. It is high time to do good.”
One thing we can teach them is the value of offering and sacrifice. Too often, we remain silent on this subject, unintentionally depriving our children of the opportunity to experience God’s power in personal and meaningful ways.
Let us speak openly about our own experiences of sacrifice and blessing. Our testimony can inspire them to trust in God as we do. When practiced sincerely, offering and sacrifice lead to a deeper, more joyful faith. The most powerful way to teach this is through our example, which children observe more closely than we often realise.
Jesus Christ made the greatest sacrifice of all. He gave His life for our salvation: eternal and perfect fellowship with God and one another. No offering or sacrifice we bring could ever compare. Even if we gave Him everything – all our time, energy, and possessions—we could never repay what He has done for us. Nor is repayment required. Salvation is a gift of grace. God owes us nothing, but we owe Him everything. Sharing this truth with our children helps them see offering not as paying a debt, but as living in gratitude for a gift that can never be earned.
It is through the spirit of sacrifice that God’s work has been established and continues to flourish. Consider the many sacrifices made by the trailblazers of faith as they brought the gospel to distant lands, unfamiliar regions, and even the most remote villages, where congregations still gather today. Yet sacrifice is not only found in history. It is seen in everyday acts of faithfulness: when we give our time to serve, choose love over resentment, or endure injustice for the sake of peace and unity. God sees and values what may go unnoticed by others. And when our children see us live this way, they learn how faith shapes real life.
A spiritual principle is at work: when we intend to give God only what we have left over, we often find that we lack even what we need for ourselves. But when we set aside His portion first, we experience that what remains is enough. Bringing the tithe as our first priority is an act of faith: a declaration of confidence that what we have left will be sufficient, thanks to God’s help. Teaching this to our children enables them to develop a healthy understanding of trust, diligence, and gratitude from a young age.
What is our motivation to bring offerings to God?
- Love for God: God’s love for us is unconditional and boundless. He offers salvation, remains with us every day, and shows us mercy beyond measure. The more we praise Him in prayer, the more we discover His greatness and the depth of His love for us. Our love for Him grows in return, and offering becomes a natural expression of this love. When children see that our offering flows out of love, they learn that faith is rooted in relationship, not rules.
- Gratitude to God: All that we have, both spiritually and naturally, comes from God. Even our income, which we may credit to our own efforts, is rooted in the strength, intellect, and opportunity He has given us. As we express our gratitude in prayer, we become increasingly aware of how much we have received. The list is endless. Giving back to God is a meaningful way to show our thankfulness. Our children will see that gratitude is more than words; it is expressed through action.
- Love for God’s work: God doesn’t need our money to provide for His church—He is almighty. But we desire to contribute to the work of the Apostles, the distribution of teaching materials such as Sunday School manuals, the outfitting of churches, youth gatherings, and many other initiatives that serve to bring salvation to all people. Offering is a way for us to actively support God’s work, and it shows the next generation that we care deeply about our mission.
We cannot dictate how God will bless us; we trust that His ways are perfect. His highest priority is our salvation, yet He often also provides concrete help in our daily lives: through unexpected solutions, quiet strength, or material support when we need it most. The right attitude here is to sincerely seek the kingdom of God as our first priority (Matthew 6: 33).
Let us continue to share, give, and lead by example. A faithful life of offering and sacrifice deepens our relationship with God, fills our hearts with joy, and strengthens our trust in Him regardless of our circumstances. And through our living testimony, our children will be encouraged to discover the same. It is high time to do good.