Object Lesson

The Bible is filled with stories about how God provides for His people through miracles. God also provides what we need by giving us talents, skills and abilities to work and earn an income.   

Another way God provides for our needs is through others. In the story of Ruth, God provided for Ruth and Naomi through Boaz’s kindness and generosity. God blesses us not just so we have what we need, but so we can be a blessing to others!

Grades 4–6: Have the children look up and take turns reading the verses in 2 Corinthians 9:10–15:    

¹⁰ For God is the One who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. ¹¹ Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. ¹³ As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. ¹⁴ And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. ¹⁵ Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

God does not bless us so we can be selfish. He provides generously so that we also may be generous to others. Paul thanked the church for their generous giving and said that when people received their gifts, they praised God and gave Him glory! They also saw how the followers of Jesus were obedient to love and serve others as Christ did.

Place the box next to you. Hold up the empty paper towel tube vertically over the box. Place one hand under the bottom end of the tube. Let’s say this tube represents us. The box represents someone who has a need. Now, we know our SuperVerse tells us that God provides all we need. The verse we just read also tells us that He blesses us and increases our resources, or our harvest. 

These marbles represent God’s provision and blessings. Start placing about half the marbles into the tube, where they will be trapped by your other hand.

Now, God just poured a lot of blessings into us. Do you think He is pleased? Why or why not?

Is God generous with us so that we can selfishly keep all His blessings to ourselves?

This isn’t why He gives us more than we need! What can I do to please God? Remove your hand from the top.

Right! Remove your hand from the bottom of the tube so the marbles will fall into the box. Place the remaining marbles into the tube and let them flow freely through the tube into the box.   

God blesses us so we can bless others. God provides for people’s needs in many ways. One way He works is to provide through our generosity! The more we give, the more we make room for other blessings in our lives. We show that we are faithful and can be trusted to share what He provides.