Children’s Sermon - The Big Meaning of a Small Gift

by Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: The most expensive gift given is not a determinant of the one who has made the greatest sacrifice. The words in bold are meant to instruct the leader through this children’s sermon..

Prop: 35 one-dollar bills, two pennies, and an offering plate. Keep the offering plate behind you. You might ask one of the ushers to participate by bringing out the offering plate and taking up the offering. Be prepared yourself to give this thirty five dollars to the church because the kids will be placing it in the offering plate and you very well cannot take it out once you have put it in.

Lesson: Good morning! (response) I have some money to give you this morning. Hold out all the ones. Make a production of it. Don’t show the pennies. Count out each dollar as you hand them out. Indiscriminately give 20, 10, 5, and the two pennies to four individuals. First person: Ok, hold out your hand. You’re a person that has a good amount of money. You have one, two ten. You have ten dollars; you’re pretty rich. What are you going to do with your money? (response) Second: Hold out your hand. You have one, two five dollars. You are not as rich as he is but you have some money. What are going to do with your money? (response) Third: Hold out your hand. You have one, two twenty. Can you believe that? Twenty dollars. You are very rich! What are going to do with all your riches? (response) Fourth: Now, hold out your hand. You’re the last one. You have one two. Two pennies. That’s not a lot of money. Sorry but you’re very poor. What are going to do with your two cents? (response)

Now, you know what happens don’t you? Bring out the offering plate and hold it up high. What is this? (response) Humor: Every time you get some money the preachers reach for the offering plate don’t they? -but for good reason. We always give first to God. Pass the plate to each child. To the first: You decided to give four dollars to God. Count them out. (response) Thank you. Second: You decided you needed to give two dollars. (response) Thank you. Third: You were the very rich girl and want to give ten dollars don’t you? (no) Well, that’s what you decided to do anyway! (response) Thank you. Now you were the poor girl, weren’t you? All you have in the world is two little pennies. Guess what you decided? (response) You decided to give both your pennies. (response) Thanks.

Application: Now, I have a question for you. Which one of these gave the most? (the one who gave ten) Why is that? (response) Well let me surprise you. She is the one who gave the most. In giving her only two pennies she gave more than the other three. Why is that? (response) Jesus said it this way, “They gave out of their riches but she gave out of her poverty.” In other words: You guys gave some of your money but she gave everything she had. Her small gift was the biggest of all!

Let’s pray: Lord, teach us to give. Amen

Epilogue: Of course some of your money is still out. As soon as you end the prayer hold the plate up and look at the children. If they start to leave and do not notice your intent clear your throat. If they turn and refuse to put the money in then point to the plate. Don’t say anything. Allow them to struggle. When they comply say thank you and dismiss them.